By Ibrahim Abubakar Nagarta- The Association of Hajj Media Support Professionals (AHMSP) has strongly condemned the recent allegations published by Daily Nigerian accusing the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) of racketeering in the selection of 2025 Hajj ad hoc staff, describing the report as ill-timed, misleading, and deliberately crafted to distract the Commission at a critical phase of Hajj preparations.
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At a time when the Commission is finalising logistics for the outbound airlift of Nigerian pilgrims, AHMSP views such reports not only as irresponsible but as a disservice to the nation’s spiritual and religious interests.
It is, however, not surprising to those familiar with Daily Nigerian’s pattern of sensational and often speculative journalism. The platform has become increasingly known for shallow reporting, lacking in-depth investigation and journalistic balance—core principles that define credible media practice. The unfortunate outcome is the erosion of its credibility and relevance among informed audiences.
One of the key issues raised in the Daily Nigerian story is the recruitment of 300 medical personnel for approximately 50,000 pilgrims, which the report baselessly labelled “excessive”. The writer further attempted to compare Nigeria’s approach with that of unnamed “top 10 Hajj countries”, claiming that even they did not recruit as many medical staff. Yet, no specifics were provided—no names, no figures, no sources. Such vagueness only highlights the weakness of the argument.
When examined critically, the allocation of 300 health workers for over 50,000 pilgrims amounts to roughly one medical personnel per 167 pilgrims—a ratio that is widely considered insufficient when measured against international standards and WHO recommendations for mass gatherings. Rather than being excessive, the figure could be seen as minimal, especially considering the intensity of the Hajj environment and the physical demands placed on pilgrims.
In view of this, AHMSP maintains that NAHCON’s effort to provide a sufficiently staffed medical team is both proactive and commendable. Health is a fundamental aspect of Hajj operations, and every reasonable observer would agree that ensuring adequate medical support should never be politicised or misrepresented.
Finally, AHMSP urges the leadership of NAHCON to stay the course and not be distracted by voices of sabotage who aim to derail the Commission’s efforts. The progress made under Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman is visible, and no amount of media blackmail or fabricated controversies can erase that.
As media professionals dedicated to the integrity of Hajj coverage, we also call on fellow journalists to uphold the tenets of objectivity, fairness, and accuracy. The public deserves truthful reporting—especially when matters of faith, health, and national responsibility are involved.