According to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), over 2,700 Nigerians who had planned to perform the 2025 Hajj have been unable to travel due to delays in making their payments.
In a statement issued by the commission’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara, the agency shared updates on the situation.
She explained that NAHCON was able to secure a total of 13,217 visas for private tour operators, even though 14,158 pilgrims were originally registered with these operators. This left over 2,700 Nigerians unable to travel for the religious journey.
NAHCON noted that while efforts were made to accommodate more pilgrims, including requesting an extension from the Saudi authorities, the Kingdom eventually stopped processing visas on May 19, 2025.
The commission had earlier warned that visa processing would close by April 19. Despite this, some intending pilgrims delayed their payments and still hoped to be included. In response to growing appeals, NAHCON made four different deadline extensions, including for the payment of Hajj fares and the issuance of visas.
“However, further access to visa issuance was blocked since May 19, 2025,” the statement read. “The one-month extension from 19th April had provided much-needed relief for some state pilgrims’ welfare boards that were still accepting late payments as well as tour operators who were still finalising travel and accommodation plans for their clients.”
The commission also pointed out concerns about some operators engaging third-party services for premium Tent A+ accommodations without going through NAHCON’s approved channels.
“Hence, NAHCON emphasises that it recognises only Rawaf Mina Company as the sole authorised provider for Tent A+ services during the 2025 Hajj. Therefore, NAHCON will not be held responsible for consequences of any arrangements made outside of this recognised channel.”
