A faith-based civil society organisation (CSO), Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), on Friday raised the alarm over ongoing corrupt practices it uncovered in some states during the registration process for this year’s Hajj exercise.

In a release signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed, and made available to Tribune Online in Abuja, IHR stated that it uncovered alleged irregular practices in some states following the reopening of the Nusuk Masar portal for the upload of pilgrims’ data.

Although the group did not disclose the identities of the affected states, citing the sensitive nature of the findings, it stated that information at its disposal indicated that some officials of state pilgrims’ welfare boards were allegedly collecting fresh passports from intending pilgrims and charging amounts higher than the initial Hajj fare earlier announced by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

According to the organisation, the affected state officials are allegedly According to the organisation, the affected state officials are allegedly substituting intending pilgrims who had completed their payments for the 2026 Hajj and submitted their passports with new applicants willing to pay higher charges.

IHR stated: “The passports are reportedly being substituted with those already in the custody of the boards to enable data upload before the deadline.

“If confirmed, the alleged practice

suggests an attempt to replace pilgrims who had already completed their payments with new entrants willing to pay higher sums, particularly in states that have already exhausted their allocated Hajj slots.”

The CSO therefore called on NAHCON, state pilgrims’ welfare boards and other stakeholders to intensify monitoring of the registration process across the states, while urging intending pilgrims to remain vigilant.

“In light of this development,

Independent Hajj Reporters calls on NAHCON, state pilgrims’ welfare boards and other relevant authorities to intensify monitoring of the registration process across states to prevent abuse of the system.

“The organisation also urges intending pilgrims to remain vigilant and to be wary of any state agency still collecting new passports beyond its approved allocation, as such actions may indicate attempts to substitute already registered pilgrims.

“Independent Hajj Reporters notes that this caution is consistent with NAHCON’s recent public advisory, in which the commission warned the public against making fresh payments to any individual, group or agency, stressing that payment for the 2026 Hajj has officially closed and that updates would only be communicated through its verified channels.

“Independent Hajj Reporters emphasises that urgent intervention by NAHCON is necessary to protect the integrity of the Hajj registration process and to safeguard the interests of pilgrims who have already paid the officially approved Hajj fare,” IHR stated.

Following the intervention of the Federal Government, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Tuesday granted a reprieve for Nigerians yet to have their data captured on the Nusuk Masar platform before the closure of the exercise on Sunday, 8 February.

The Saudi authorities granted a special extension for Nigeria despite their earlier warning that no extension would be granted after the expiration of the 8 February deadline for data capture and the pilgrims’ grouping window.

The data capture and pilgrims’ grouping, according to the Saudi authorities, were to enable visa issuance, which commenced on 8 February and is expected to end on 20 March.

NAHCON had warned that, “It is expected that after the expiration of this extension, the Saudi authorities will not accept any further requests for extension,” emphasising the need for the speedy completion of the process.

It then urged state agencies to complete and finalise all required pilgrims’ data as soon as possible to avoid any last-minute issues.

(Nigerian Tribune)