Vice President Kashim Shettima Monday directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to take all necessary measures to ensure a smooth and unhindered pilgrimage for all the nation’s intending pilgrims.
The Vice President said this at a meeting with the board and management of NAHCON in his office at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He assured Nigerians and the Muslim community in particular that no Nigerian intending pilgrim will miss the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, and that the exercise would be hitch free.
The Vice President had summoned the meeting following reports that a contractual dispute with Saudi service provider, Mashariq Al-Dhahabiah, could potentially lead to visa denials for Nigerian pilgrims.
“We will not allow any Nigerian intending pilgrim to miss the 2025 Hajj. The pilgrimage will be seamless, and every challenge will be addressed promptly,” he said.
The Vice President urged NAHCON leadership to take all necessary steps to protect the interests of Nigerian pilgrims.
“NAHCON must do whatever it takes to guarantee the full participation of our pilgrims without any hindrance.
“From now on we must have to set the right standards, move in the right direction and have a hitch-free hajj exercise,” he said.
Addressing concerns about the purported contract cancellation with the Saudi-based company, NAHCON Chairman, Prof Saleh Usman, had earlier in the day reassured Nigerians that the issue would not affect the pilgrimage.
“There is no cause for alarm. No single registered pilgrim will be left behind,” he said.
He also dismissed allegations from the Forum of States Pilgrim Welfare Agencies that the contract dispute could derail the pilgrimage.
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