By GARBA MUHAMMAD

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has dismissed allegations of diversion of 5,000 slots allocated for the 2027 Hajj, describing the claims as unsubstantiated and urging stakeholders to rely on verifiable facts and established regulatory procedures.

The Commission was reacting to a report published by THISDAY titled, “Hajj 2027: Private Operators Demand Probe of Diverted 5,000 Slots,” as well as what it described as a broader campaign of misinformation by some licensed private Hajj tour operators over the allocation of slots for the 2027 pilgrimage.

In a statement signed by its Head of Information and Publications Division, Shafii Sani Mohammed, NAHCON said no evidence had been presented to establish that the allocation of the disputed slots violated Saudi Arabian Hajj regulations, NAHCON guidelines or any applicable policy governing Hajj operations in Nigeria.

The Commission also questioned the reliance on claims attributed to unnamed “Concerned Private Travel Operators,” saying the anonymity of the sources made it difficult for the public to assess their credibility, standing or possible interests in the matter.

According to NAHCON, Nigeria’s approved allocation for the 2027 Hajj is 50,000 slots, comprising 35,000 slots for States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and 15,000 slots for duly licensed private Hajj tour operators.

It said the 15,000 private-sector slots were allocated to licensed tour operators operating under seven approved lead companies, in line with Nigerian regulatory requirements and the guidelines of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

NAHCON further stated that the companies participating in the 2027 Hajj and Umrah operations were incorporated and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and other relevant government agencies, adding that they had undergone applicable regulatory processes and obtained the necessary licences from the Commission.

The operators, It said, remained subject to the same regulatory framework, compliance requirements, sanctions and disciplinary measures applicable to other licensed operators.

The Commission said the controversy appeared to have significant commercial dimensions, given the competition among hundreds of operators for a limited number of Hajj slots.

It maintained, however, that disagreements over allocation structures should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of wrongdoing.

NAHCON also drew attention to the September 26, 2026 deadline set by Saudi authorities for the closure of the Nusuk-Masar digital platform for uploading prospective pilgrims’ biometric and registration data.

It stressed that the deadline was determined by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and was beyond NAHCON’s authority to extend.

The Commission warned private operators to expedite the registration of their clients, upload biometric information and fulfil all financial and contractual obligations before the deadline.

It said operators who failed to comply with the requirements could be held responsible for the consequences, adding that NAHCON would invoke available regulatory measures where necessary.

“These may include suspension, revocation of licences and blacklisting from future Hajj operations,” the Commission stated.

NAHCON also advised intending premium pilgrims who registered through private travel agencies to urgently verify their enrolment status and confirm that their biometric and registration details had been successfully uploaded onto the Nusuk platform before the September 26 deadline.

The Commission said It was documenting instances of what it described as deliberate misinformation and diversionary tactics capable of misleading intending pilgrims and undermining confidence in Nigeria’s Hajj administration.

It urged stakeholders with genuine concerns about the allocation process to present documentary evidence and pursue established dispute-resolution mechanisms rather than relying on anonymous allegations and speculation.

NAHCON reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, regulatory compliance and the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims, saying the integrity of the country’s Hajj administration should be assessed on established facts, compliance with Saudi regulations and measurable outcomes.