The National President of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON), Imam Abdul-Lateef Ekundayo, has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to convene a joint technical session with Saudi Arabian authorities within the next 30 days to address the challenges associated with the NUSUK platform and visa processing experienced during the 2026 Hajj.
Ekundayo said the proposed meeting should provide an opportunity for NAHCON, AHUON, and Saudi authorities to review the difficulties encountered during the 2026 pilgrimage and establish a real-time support mechanism for licensed Hajj operators before preparations for the 2027 Hajj reach their peak.
He made the call during the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of AHUON, themed “Reforming the Tour Business for Effective Hajj and Umrah Administration in Nigeria”.
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The AHUON president also appealed for stronger collaboration between NAHCON, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and AHUON to enforce an immediate ban on Hajj and Umrah advertisements by unlicensed individuals and companies.
“As registration for the 2027 Hajj begins, no allocation or slot should be given to any operator that has not been cleared by NAHCON. This single policy will protect millions of Nigerians from fraud. AHUON pledges its full support for reforms that safeguard pilgrims and strengthen the Hajj industry,” he said.
Reflecting on the association’s achievements during the 2026 Hajj, Ekundayo said AHUON focused on three key priorities: protecting members’ funds, securing reliable airlift arrangements, and defending the integrity of licensed Hajj operators.
According to him, the association’s 17-year advocacy for the recovery of funds trapped in Saudi Arabia between 2007 and 2024 has begun to yield results.
“Through sustained engagement with NAHCON, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and our Saudi partners, we have facilitated the repatriation of significant funds. Many of our members received refunds before the commencement of the 2026 Hajj airlift. This was not by chance but the result of deliberate, data-driven advocacy by the association with the support of our Board of Trustees,” he said.
Ekundayo further disclosed that AHUON secured direct airlift arrangements with Flyadeal, Saudia, and Qunsar Air to reduce the uncertainties previously experienced by tour operators.
Responding to the requests, the Chairman of NAHCON, Ambassador Ismail Yusuf, represented by the Registrar of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria, Ibrahim Abubakar Jalingo, said the commission had taken note of AHUON’s recommendations and would carefully consider them as part of efforts to strengthen Hajj operations in Nigeria.
He reaffirmed NAHCON’s commitment to reforming the Hajj administration system and promoting professionalism across the industry.
“Professionalism remains one of the commission’s top priorities. The Chairman has consistently maintained that qualified professionals should succeed one another in managing the Hajj industry to ensure continuity, efficiency, and improved service delivery,” Jalingo said.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on NAHCON, Hon. Jaafaru Mohammed, pledged the support of the National Assembly in strengthening Hajj administration in Nigeria.
Senator Bello urged NAHCON and AHUON to institutionalise regular consultative meetings to address operational challenges well before the commencement of the 2027 Hajj exercise.
The 2026 AHUON Annual General Meeting brought together key stakeholders in Nigeria’s Hajj and Umrah sector to discuss reforms aimed at improving service delivery, strengthening collaboration, and enhancing the overall experience of Nigerian pilgrims.
