From Garba Abdullahi Bagwai, in Kano
Independent Hajj and Umrah tour operators have called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to ensure equal treatment for all private tour operators in the country amid plans by some state pilgrims’ welfare agencies to convert into tour operating companies.
The National Chairman of the Hajj and Umrah Tour Operators of Nigeria (HUTON), Alhaji Mohammad Auwal Sulaiman, made the call on Thursday while speaking with Citizenship Daily in Kano.
He described the proposed conversion of state pilgrims agencies into tour operating companies as a welcome development but urged NAHCON, as the industry’s regulatory body, to treat all Hajj and Umrah tour operators equally and avoid any form of favouritism.
Sulaiman said HUTON was a duly registered association governed by a constitution that stipulates the procedures and requirements for membership, adding that all members were expected to comply with the rules governing Hajj and Umrah operations.
“Our constitution provides all the procedures and criteria that qualify a company to become a member of the tour operators association. We cannot admit any company that fails to fulfil our requirements,” he said.
He disclosed that the association had written to NAHCON seeking clarification on the process through which some state pilgrims’ agencies were recognised as tour operating companies and granted access to privileges enjoyed by HUTON members, particularly in the allocation of seats for the 2027 Hajj.
According to him, the association was concerned that some newly recognised operators had reportedly received significantly higher Hajj allocations than established private operators.
“We have information that two state pilgrims’ agencies were treated by NAHCON as tour operating companies, with some reportedly allocated more than 3,000 seats for the 2027 Hajj operation.
“Unfortunately, some of our members who have spent more than 20 years in the business were allocated not less than 100 seats. This is very disheartening and unfair,” he said.
The HUTON chairman clarified that the association was not challenging NAHCON’s authority to allocate Hajj seats but was seeking transparency regarding the procedures and requirements for converting state pilgrims’ agencies into tour operating companies.
He said the association was awaiting a clear explanation and assurance from the commission that existing private operators would receive equal treatment alongside newly converted companies.
Sulaiman further argued that converting state Pilgrims agencies into tour operating companies needs amendment to the legal framework governing their establishment .
He said the association had not received information indicating that the affected states had completed the necessary legal procedures at State assemblies before restructuring their pilgrims’ agencies into tour operating companies.
However, when contacted, the Head of Media and Publications at NAHCON, Mr Shafi’i Sani Mohammad, said he was not formally aware that the commission had treated any state pilgrims’ welfare agency as a tour operating company for the purpose of allocating seats for the 2027 Hajj.
“What I know is that some new private tour operating companies have been engaged in preparations for the forthcoming Hajj operation. These companies have fulfilled the requirements of NAHCON, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other relevant agencies.
“They have also met the requirements of the Saudi authorities and are members of the tour operators’ association,” he said.
Mohammad reiterated NAHCON’s commitment to working with all tour operators and other stakeholders to ensure a successful Hajj operation.
He said the commission had no hidden agenda to favour any private tour operating company, stressing that all operators were partners in the effort to improve Hajj services.
“The commission has no intention or hidden agenda that would create room for favouritism among private tour operating companies. They are all partners in progress.
“Our aim is to protect the interests of Nigerian pilgrims and ensure that they comply with the rules and regulations of the Saudi government during the Hajj exercise,” he said.
