By Soliu Adewale
A new controversy has emerged between the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and private Hajj tour operators over the selection of service providers for pilgrims under the private sector during the 2026 Hajj.
Hajj Reporters gathered that NAHCON had earlier nominated Bushra Hospitality to handle services in Mina, Muzdalifa, and Arafat after private tour operators failed to reach a collective decision on a single provider.
However, the two umbrella bodies of private Operators the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) and the Hajj and Umrah Tour Operators of Nigeria (HUTUON) later jointly endorsed Rawaf Mina as their preferred service provider, claiming its package was more affordable.
According to the associations, Bushra Hospitality’s rates were higher, and the company lacked sufficient experience in catering to Nigerian pilgrims. NAHCON officials, however, dismissed the claim, insisting that Bushra is among the firms that serve high-profile Saudi guests and deliver top-quality services.
“Last year, states’ pilgrims enjoyed better services in Mina because they paid for premium packages, unlike many private operators who went for cheaper options,” a NAHCON source said.
An insider told Hajj Reporters that NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofi Elegushi, had earlier met with licensed tour operators, where members reportedly agreed to align with the commission’s choice of service provider. The resolution included plans for representatives of both associations to meet Bushra Hospitality in Saudi Arabia for price negotiations.
The situation escalated after NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, received a joint letter dated November 12 from AHUON and HUTUON, naming Rawaf Mina as their chosen provider.
The letter, signed by AHUON’s Board Secretary, Ustaz Abubakr Siddeeq Muhammed, and HUTUON’s representative, Muhammed Awwal Suleiman, prompted NAHCON to move toward preparing to finalizing the contract with Rawaf Mina in Makkah.
The letter titled “agreement on the choice of service providers”, said “on behalf of the registered tour operators, we wish to present to the management of the commission, that after a joint committee of leadership of all tour operators, associations has decided on the choice of service providers, in the name of Rawaf Mina Company to provide service for the Tour Operators in the year 2026 Hajj.”
A tale of two letters
However, AHUON in a separate letter addressed to NAHCON Chairman dates 13th November and signed by its President Abdullateef Yusuf Ekundayo denied ever signing such letter and calls on NAHCON to disregard the first letter.
The letter titled “RE: NOTICE OF UNAUTHORIZED LETTER REGARDING SERVICE PROVIDER FOR 2026 HAJJ OPERATIONS” said “We write to express our utmost concern and objection to a letter dated November 12, 2025, purportedly issued in the name of AHUON, recommending RAWAF MINA as the service provider for the 2026 Hajj operations.
“We wish to state categorically that the said letter was not authorized by the National Executive Council (NEC) of AHUON, and I, AbdulLateef Yusuf Ekundayo, AHUON President, was not aware of its issuance. The letter is, therefore, null and void and should be disregarded.”
“We request that NAHCON takes cognizance of this notice and disregards the said letter in its entirety. Any actions or decisions taken based on this letter are hereby invalidated”
A source close to the Commissioner of Operations claimed that Elegushi was not informed about the decision or the letter’s submission. “He was in Jeddah for a meeting with Saudi civil aviation authorities when the letter was presented to the chairman without his knowledge. That’s against procedure,” the source said.
The dispute reflects a recurring pattern of disunity between private operators and regulators, raising concerns about coordination ahead of the 2026 Hajj.
