The Association of Hajj Media Support Professionals (AHMSP), a registered civil organization dedicated to providing real-time, accurate and balanced information, as well as robust enlightenment campaigns to Nigerian pilgrims and the entire Muslim community about events and developments in the hajj industry across the nation, is saddened and highly disappointed by a purely sensational and self-serving narrative from a negligible section of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHOUN) an association expected to be at the forefront of championing a successful hajj operation.
In a statement by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Abubakar Nagarta, AHMSP said its disappointed by their negative and misleading statements because their central focus should be the well-being of Nigerian pilgrims and the country’s image both locally and globally not the pursuit of personal gain.
Unfortunately, however, some individuals within AHOUN have blindly and shamelessly called for Mr. President’s intervention in the internal affairs of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), demanding that the Commission hands off crucial aspects of hajj operations such as catering, accommodation, and transportation—components that are the very pillars of a successful hajj experience.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a man of principle, fairness, and justice, surely understands the capability and integrity of Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, whose track record of selfless service to humanity and Islam made him the right choice for the job.
Those AHOUN members who are now crying wolf are clearly more interested in protecting their personal interests than the welfare of the pilgrims they claim to serve.
We challenge these critics to speak the truth and acknowledge that it was under the leadership of Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman that the long-outstanding 2% refund owed to tour operators—dating back years—was finally paid. This is a debt previous administrations failed to clear, but Prof. Pakistan did it without hesitation in the spirit of fairness and justice.
We also challenge them to accept the reality that NAHCON’s recent screening process for licensed tour operators was transparent, thorough, and based purely on quality of service delivery. If some operators failed to scale through, perhaps it is because their services fell below standard—not because of bias or marginalization.
Past reports indicated that the performance of some of the very service providers AHOUN is defending was abysmal, subjecting pilgrims to hardship, embarrassment, and ridicule. The current NAHCON leadership under Prof. Usman is determined never to allow such disgraceful experiences to reoccur.
That is why the Chairman insists that pilgrims must get value for their money—hence the frustration and resistance from a few aggrieved operators who are clearly afraid of reforms and accountability.
It is also important to note that NAHCON’s deep involvement in all aspects of hajj operations this year is not arbitrary. Rather, it is a deliberate effort by Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman sanitizes the system, blocks leakages, and eliminates the activities of swindlers who have taken undue advantage of innocent Nigerian pilgrims for too long.
We urge all genuine stakeholders to remember that NAHCON’s regulatory and supervisory mandate extends across all levels of hajj management—whether it involves state pilgrims boards or tour operators. The Commission is legally and morally bound to protect the interest of all Nigerian pilgrims.
Finally, the Association of Hajj Media Support Professionals calls on all stakeholders to join hands with NAHCON leadership in making the 2025 Hajj operations a resounding success.