Your Excellency,
As a concerned Nigerian Muslim committed to the welfare of pilgrims and the integrity of our national institutions, I respectfully call for a review of the current supervisory structure of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). I urge the Presidency to return NAHCON’s daily administrative coordination to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), while maintaining its statutory placement under the Presidency as provided in the NAHCON Establishment Act of 2006.
Why This Matters
The 2006 Act clearly situates NAHCON under the Presidency. Historically, this supervision has been carried out through the SGF the administrative engine room of the federal government and the office best positioned to coordinate the multiple ministries and agencies involved in Hajj operations.
In June 2023, NAHCON was placed under the Office of the Vice President. While well-intentioned, this shift created a more political and personality-driven supervisory channel, replacing the neutral, bureaucracy-based system that had previously delivered strong results.
Track Record Under SGF Coordination
From 2007 to 2023, under SGF-based supervision, NAHCON recorded some of its greatest milestones:
Nigeria moved from being cited as a case study of Hajj mismanagement to earning praise from Saudi authorities for reforms.
Direct engagement with Saudi landlords eliminated exploitative middlemen and saved millions in accommodation costs.
In 2023, Nigeria successfully transported all 95,000 of its allocated pilgrims a first in nearly a decade.
Despite FX challenges, NAHCON managed more than 51,000 government pilgrims in 2024.
For 2025, NAHCON secured early Mashair allocations for more than 52,000 pilgrims.
These results depended on seamless coordination with aviation, health, foreign affairs, immigration, and security agencies all bodies traditionally linked to the SGF.
Why the SGF Is Better Suited Than the VP’s Office
Inter-Ministerial Coordination:
The SGF is institutionally empowered to coordinate federal agencies a necessity for Hajj operations.
Stability and Continuity:
The SGF’s office offers a neutral, rules-based platform less affected by political reshuffling.
Clearer Accountability:
Parliamentary oversight, audits, and documentation flows are more transparent through the SGF.
Alignment with NAHCON’s Mandate:
NAHCON’s functions are regulatory and administrative, not political.
The SGF office reflects this.
Reduced Risk of Politicisation:
Hajj is a national spiritual duty. Oversight should not be tied to personal political portfolios.
Lessons From the Past
Nigeria’s history of shifting Hajj administration from regional boards to military decrees, temporary task forces, and directorates shows that instability only harms pilgrims. The NAHCON Act of 2006 was designed to end such disruptions. Altering the supervisory structure without broad consultation risks reversing hard-won progress.
What Is at Stake
Every year, tens of thousands of Nigerians invest their savings, energy, and faith into the Hajj journey. They judge government performance by the quality of:
accommodation
airlift
medical services
Mashair arrangements
communication and refunds
Any weakness in coordination directly affects their safety, dignity, and spiritual experience.
Your Excellency has demonstrated strong personal commitment to improving Hajj operations. Restoring NAHCON’s supervision to the SGF will reinforce your directives and ensure smoother execution.
A Respectful Appeal
I humbly request that Your Excellency:
Order a formal review of NAHCON’s current supervisory arrangement.
Restore daily oversight to the SGF, in line with past practice and the spirit of the NAHCON Act.
Require broad stakeholder consultations for any future structural changes affecting Hajj administration.
Your decision will shape the future of Hajj operations in Nigeria for years to come. Returning NAHCON to SGF coordination will strengthen the institution, uphold legislative intent, and protect the interests of thousands of pilgrims.
Signed:
A Concerned Nigerian Muslim and Civic Activist