The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has performed woefully in the 2024 hajj operation despite an N90 billion subsidy fund extended to it by the federal government, it has been revealed.
This revelation is coming from the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the Investigation of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and FCT Muslim Pilgrims Board over the 2024 Hajj exercise.
The chairman of the panel Rep Sada Soli has described the commission as “very dirty” due to the allegations of mismanagement of funds in the agency.
Addressing the NAHCON Chairman Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman Pakistan during the panel hearing at the National Assembly on Tuesday, Rep Soli said; “Mr. Chairman, I pity you. You are in an organisation that is very dirty. NAHCON is very dirty.”
“Despite the huge amount of money by Nigerian pilgrims, NAHCON also received support of N90 billion from the Federal Government. We are surprised by all this inflow that NAHCON has shown an abysmal performance in 2024,” the lawmaker said.
The panel also queried the hajj commission over discrepancies in subsidies to pilgrims during the last hajj operation.
Mr Soli also accused NAHCON of doing this for personal gains of certain interests.
This newspaper recalled that earlier in May, the federal government announced an N90 billion subsidy for the 2024 hajj operation.
Despite the controversial subsidy, the hajj operation was marred by inadequate provision of accommodation in Muna and insufficient Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) for pilgrims from states, drawing criticisms from state governors over NAHCON’s management handling of the religious exercise.
In August, President Bola Tinubu sacked the Chairman of the commission, Mr Jalal Arabi, and replaced him with Professor Pakistan.
Mr Arabi and NAHCON secretary Abdullahi Kotangora were indicted in the investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The House of Representatives, in July, constituted a committee, chaired by Mr Soli (APC, Katsina), to probe NAHCON’s performance during this year’s pilgrimage.
During the hearing on Tuesday, NAHCON Commissioner for Operations Prince Olarewaju Elegushi, had represented the Chairman Professor Pakistan, but Mr Soli insisted he must appear in person.
Mr Soli insisted that the Operations Commissioner must call the Chairman on the phone while the hearing was ongoing to appear by himself.
The lawmaker fumed: “How come you are giving subsidy, full subsidy, half subsidy, and some none and they are all Nigerians?”
The commissioner, however, said those who did not enjoy the subsidy came after they had closed the registration of pilgrims who would enjoy that subsidy.
Dissatisfied Soli, thundered: “As long as they are Nigerians and pilgrims, they are to enjoy the same privilege. We are speaking for the average Nigerian who would save money for five years and yet they would go to Saudi and you would mess them up because of simple things to do.
“Be disciplined and do the right thing and close your eyes, you must not bring enterprise in what people spend their lives to invest in. You are giving subsidies at will because you have been given the authority. Who gave you the subsidy? Did the Federal Government tell you what to do with it? You are selective because it will favour you at the end of the day.”
The Reps panel also grilled the commission on the disparity in basic travel allowances and exchange rates for pilgrims, among other issues.
Mr Soli said the matter would be followed to a logical conclusion without fear or favour.
A member of the panel, Mohammed Umar Bio, who moved the motion for the probe, said despite the huge resources made available for the 2024 Hajj, it was a failure.
He said: “Despite the huge amount of money by Nigerian pilgrims, NAHCON also received support of N90 billion from the Federal Government. We are surprised by all this inflow that NAHCON has shown an abysmal performance in 2024.”
Chairman of NAHCON, who later joined the hearing, admitted to the malfeasance within the agency.
Mr Soli, while addressing the NAHCON boss, told him the agency was dirty.
“Mr. Chairman, I pity you. You are in an organisation that is very dirty. NAHCON is very dirty,” Soli said.
“Yes, I agree,” the NAHCON chairman responded.
Earlier in his welcome address, Soli said it was the duty of the panel to ensure future Hajj operations are a source of pride for Nigeria, and that every pilgrim’s journey is safe, organised, and spiritually fulfilling.
The lawmaker said: “Today marks a significant step in our ongoing effort to address the various challenges faced by Nigerian pilgrims during the most recent Hajj operations and to ensure we develop comprehensive solutions that improve future pilgrimages.
“As you are aware, the Hajj is one of the most important spiritual journeys for millions of Muslims around the world, including many Nigerians. It is a deeply personal and transformative experience, one that pilgrims invest a great deal of faith, time, and resources into. Unfortunately, this year’s Hajj was met with several operational difficulties and complaints from our citizens, many of whom felt that the services provided did not meet the standards they expected.
“These challenges, ranging from logistical issues to inadequate services, are what have brought us here today. The House of Representatives has mandated this committee to carry out a thorough investigation into the root causes of these problems and to recommend strategies that will prevent their recurrence in the future.
“I want to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all stakeholders present here today, from officials of NAHCON to travel agencies, airlines, and other service providers, as well as the pilgrims who have come forward with their experiences. Your participation is vital to the success of this process. This hearing is not just about identifying problems, but also about working together to find solutions that will ensure future Hajj operations are seamless, efficient, and worthy of the expectations placed upon them.
“The insights, experiences, and recommendations shared during these hearings will play a critical role in informing our final report, which will be submitted to the House. We are committed to transparency, thoroughness, and fairness in this investigation, and we ask for your full cooperation in making this process as productive as possible.”
President Tinubu had earlier fired Mr Zikirullah Kunle Hasan over non-performance and allegations of corruption.
