Amid renewed calls for transparency in Hajj administration, Nigerian pilgrims who performed the 2025 Hajj have urged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to immediately refund excess charges paid ahead of the exercise. Their demands follow a fresh statement issued by Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a civil society group advocating accountability in Hajj operations.
IHR said more than 44,000 pilgrims are entitled to refunds ranging between ₦400,000 and ₦437,000, resulting from discrepancies between the exchange rate used in computing the 2025 Hajj fare and the lower rate at which service payments were eventually made in Saudi Arabia. The group stressed that with the 2026 Hajj preparations underway and reconciliations for 2025 concluded, NAHCON has no reason to delay repayment.
Following the announcement, scores of aggrieved pilgrims trooped to social media to express frustration, alleging lack of transparency and slow responses to previous refund issues.
Aishat Yusuf Sekoni wrote that anti-corruption agencies should wade into the matter, saying: “Refund will be announced, only a few people will get it and the rest will not. Corruption has eaten deep into Hajj organization. No fear of Allah.”
Another pilgrim, Lateef Opeyemi, lamented that past refunds remain unsettled: “For 2023 has not been refunded, not to talk of 2024 and 2025. Our problem is extremely deep-rooted.”
Some pilgrims commended IHR for raising the issue but insisted that authorities must take firm action. Oseni Jimoh said, “Put more effort into making it pay for all pilgrims. Jazakumullahu khayran.”
Others accused NAHCON of ignoring lingering balances from previous years. Usman Muhammad Naibi recalled: “They confirmed the receipt of another fund from the Saudi Ministry of #Hajj for ‘services not rendered’. The public hasn’t heard anything about it!”
Several comments also pointed to long-standing concerns about secrecy. Ishaku Paiko remarked, “Everything about Hajj in Nigeria is shrouded in secrecy. No transparency and accountability. Officials do whatever they like.”
“I commend this Hajj Reporters for always standing on the side of pilgrims. Why are didn’t they make the refund before now? I saw some unofficial busybodies in WhatsApp trying to defend saying it is not 44,000 pilgrims that need a refund.
Let them do the refund even if it is 20,000 people We need to change in this country Walahi’
Another pilgrim, Abdulaziz Abdulyamimu, questioned why earlier refunds were still pending: “How about the refund of ₦40,000 for 2024 pilgrims? We even sent our account numbers.”
Despite the frustrations, many appealed for a swift resolution. “We are waiting patiently because it is long overdue,” wrote Abdullahi Hewitt.
In its statement, IHR insisted that Nigeria must follow the example of other countries that have already refunded their pilgrims after similar overpayments. The organisation urged NAHCON and state boards to jointly process and promptly disburse the funds as a show of accountability.
As pressure mounts, pilgrims say they will continue to demand answers until every outstanding refund past and present is fully settled.
