Delays crippling Nigeria’s Hajj operations, CSO warns

Independent Hajj Reporters urges immediate 2027 registration, says poor planning undermines compliance with Saudi Hajj schedule

By Abdullahi Yusuf

A Nigerian civil society group has called for sweeping reforms in the country’s Hajj planning process, warning that persistent delays in pilgrim registration and poor coordination continue to disrupt annual preparations.

The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), which advocates policy improvements in the Hajj sector, said authorities must urgently align Nigeria’s timelines with those set by Saudi Arabia to avoid recurring setbacks.

In a statement signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, the group urged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to establish a dedicated Hajj calendar harmonisation committee and immediately open registration for the 2027 pilgrimage.

It said the country’s difficulties stem largely from late registration and delays in implementing key pre-Hajj activities.

“The fundamental operational challenges encountered yearly are largely due to late registration and behind-schedule pre-Hajj timelines,” the group said, adding that this has affected Nigeria’s ability to comply with schedules set by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

The proposed committee, according to IHR, would be responsible for developing a unified national timetable and ensuring that all stakeholders  including state Muslim pilgrims’ welfare boards and private tour operators, adhere strictly to agreed deadlines.

It said the absence of a standardised registration framework has led to inconsistencies across states, with some continuing to register pilgrims after official deadlines, leaving many unable to complete the process.

The group noted that discrepancies in registration timelines contributed to situations where some pilgrims’ data could not be uploaded onto the Saudi Hajj portal in time, effectively excluding them from participation.

“There should be strict and uniform timelines to ensure smoother and more efficient Hajj coordination,” the statement said, pointing to Saudi Arabia’s shift to a “first-come, first-served” model and tighter contractual deadlines.

IHR also called for the immediate commencement of registration for the 2027 Hajj, arguing that earlier timelines would allow authorities to meet financial obligations to service providers, a recurring challenge in recent years.

While acknowledging that the proposal could overlap with ongoing preparations for the 2026 pilgrimage, the group said the process could be managed concurrently through small committees at the state level, supported by NAHCON’s regional offices.

It cited countries such as Indonesia, which operate multi-year Hajj planning systems, allowing prospective pilgrims to register well in advance while current operations are still underway.

The organisation also suggested using the 2026 Hajj fare as a benchmark for early 2027 registration and urged financial institutions to expand awareness of Hajj savings schemes to help intending pilgrims prepare.

The call comes amid broader concerns over the efficiency of Nigeria’s Hajj administration, with stakeholders increasingly pushing for reforms to improve coordination, transparency and compliance with international timelines.

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