The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has expressed concern over persistent misrepresentation and misinformation surrounding the engagement of Hajj service providers for the 2026 Hajj operations.
The Commission clarified that claims suggesting it sought or applied for a rollover approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) for 2025 Hajj service providers are false and misleading.
For the avoidance of doubt, NAHCON stated clearly that it did not at any time request a rollover of contracts from the BPP. The Commission explained that its decision not to open a fresh bidding process for certain 2026 Hajj services was informed solely by the emergency nature of Hajj operations, the BPP advertisement rule, and the extremely tight timelines issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all participating countries.
According to NAHCON, this approach is fully consistent with Section 43 of the Public Procurement Act 2007, which permits emergency procurement where time constraints make standard tender processes impracticable. The Saudi Hajj calendar, the Commission emphasized, is fixed, non-negotiable, and applies uniformly to all Hajj missions worldwideNigeria inclusive.
The Commission further clarified that re-engagement of service providers does not amount to an automatic renewal or preservation of existing contract terms. Following the 2025 Hajj exercise, NAHCON conducted comprehensive performance reviews, service evaluations, and pilgrim satisfaction assessments across all service areas. Based on these findings, the Commission is under no obligation to retain identical contractual terms, service scope, or volume arrangements previously applied in 2025.
NAHCON reaffirmed that its guiding principles remain transparency, accountability, value for money, and quality service delivery for Nigerian pilgrims. Consequently, any engagement of service providers for the 2026 Hajj is determined by past performance, operational capacity, compliance history, and the ability to meet Saudi regulatory requirements within the limited timeframe available.
The Commission warned that it will not tolerate any attempt to exploit the emergency nature of the 2026 Hajj operations to undermine its statutory mandate or distort public understanding of lawful procurement processes. Stakeholders were advised to refrain from abusing public procurement narratives in ways that mislead the public or mischaracterize administrative decisions.
NAHCON encouraged service providers or interested parties with genuine concerns to formally submit their complaints or requests for clarification through established channels. The Commission confirmed that mechanisms for dispute resolution are in place and reiterated its commitment to fair hearing and institutional accountability.
In closing, NAHCON reaffirmed that its doors remain open to all partners genuinely committed to the successful delivery of Hajj operations. The Commission emphasized that constructive engagement rather than misinformation is essential to strengthening Nigeria’s Hajj administration and safeguarding the welfare of pilgrims.
