Abuja: Vice-President Kashim Shettima has assured that no Nigerian intending pilgrim will miss the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Shettima made this declaration during a meeting with the Management and Board of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Shettima convened the meeting following reports of a contractual dispute between NAHCON and Saudi service provider, Mashariq Al-Dhahabiah, which could result in visa denials for Nigerian pilgrims. The Vice-President emphasized that the 2025 Hajj operations would proceed without any hitches.
Shettima instructed the leadership of NAHCON to take all necessary measures to ensure a smooth and unhindered pilgrimage for all the nation’s intending pilgrims. He stated, “We will not allow any Nigerian intending pilgrim to miss the 2025 Hajj. The pilgrimage will be seamless, and every challenge will be addressed promptly.”
In addressing the purported contract cancellation with the Saudi-based company, N
AHCON Chairman, Prof. Saleh Usman, reassured Nigerians that the issue would not affect the pilgrimage. Usman stated, “There is no cause for alarm. No single registered pilgrim will be left behind.”
Furthermore, Usman dismissed allegations made by the Forum of Chief Executive Officers of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies, and Commissions, which suggested that the contract dispute could jeopardize the 2025 Hajj operations. The forum had expressed concerns through its Secretary, Abubakar Salihu, about the potential impact of the service provider contract cancellation by NAHCON leadership, which they argued might prevent thousands of Nigerian intending pilgrims from performing the 2025 Hajj.