The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and appointed air carriers for a largely seamless and well-coordinated offshore airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, but has raised concerns over lapses at some departure points.
In its 2026 interim monitoring report released on May 10, IHR said it has been actively tracking the ongoing airlift under NAHCON’s coordination using a “no-see” approach to ensure objectivity and independence.
As of the report date, 17,362 pilgrims have been airlifted on 41 flights, with the four designated Hajj carriers largely adhering to approved schedules, the group noted.
However, IHR observed gaps in responsiveness by some officials at departure centres, with many pilgrims struggling to identify the right personnel for assistance. It recommended that NAHCON mandate all officials, particularly those from state pilgrims’ welfare boards, to wear clearly identifiable uniforms with tags to improve accessibility and accountability.
The group also expressed concern over the current method of disbursing Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), describing it as rowdy and disorganized and exposing pilgrims to the risk of losing funds, as happened during the previous Hajj. It called for a more structured and secure disbursement process.
IHR further urged security agencies to tighten access control at departure points, insisting that only verified pilgrims and authorized personnel should be allowed into restricted areas to maintain order and safety.
The group said it remains committed to providing credible, independent feedback to improve Hajj operations for Nigerian pilgrims.
