Vice President Kashim Shettima has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to strictly comply with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) guidelines in awarding contracts for the 2026 Hajj operations, particularly in the selection of accommodation service providers in Madina.
A source familiar with the meeting between the Vice President, NAHCON board members and the chairman said Shettima made it clear that he did not influence the choice of any service provider nor asks anyone to do.
“He categorically stated that he neither sent anyone nor instructed anybody to choose or influence the choice of any service provider, and therefore directed NAHCON to comply fully with BPP procedures,” the source said.
To address the lingering shortage of accommodation for Nigerian pilgrims in Makkah, the Vice President directed the Commissioner for Policy, Research, Statistics and Library Services (PRSL) and the Secretary of the commission to proceed to Saudi Arabia immediately.
According to the source, the officials are to join the Commissioner of Operations, Prince Elegushi, who is already in Saudi Arabia, to find lasting solutions to the challenge.
The source also disclosed that the Vice President rejected a suggestion by the NAHCON chairman to be part of the trip.
“He objected to the chairman’s request, noting that his numerous visits to Saudi Arabia in the past had not resolved the existing problems,” the source said.
The Vice President was also said to have approved the board’s request for the removal of the head of the E-Track system, Danbaba, directing that the secretary of the commission should henceforth supervise the E-Track platform due to persistent challenges in its operation.
On petitions against the chairman by some board members, the source said the Vice President urged the parties to manage their differences for now.
“He only asked the board members to try and resolve their issues internally for the time being,” the source added.
Meanwhile, Hajj Reporters had earlier reports that investigations indicate that several state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards are facing difficulties in securing accommodation in Makkah, a situation that could potentially affect preparations for the 2026 Hajj exercise if not urgently resolved.
