No intending pilgrim will miss 2025 Hajj, says FG

Vice President Kashim Shettima has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to take all necessary measures to ensure a smooth and unhindered pilgrimage for intending pilgrims nationwide.

“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,” Shettima said when he summoned the Commission’s management and board to his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday.

The directive follows reports of a contractual dispute with Saudi service provider, Mashariq Al-Dhahabiah, which could potentially lead to visa denials for Nigerian pilgrims.

Senior Special Assistant to the VP on Media and Communication, Stanley Nkwocha, revealed excerpts of the discussions in a statement titled ‘2025 Hajj: VP Shettima directs NAHCON to resolve visa concerns.’

The Vice President issued firm instructions to the NAHCON leadership, urging them to take all necessary steps to protect the interests of Nigerian pilgrims, saying “NAHCON must do whatever it takes to guarantee the full participation of our pilgrims without any hindrance. From now on, we must set the right standards, move in the right direction, and have a hitch-free hajj exercise.”

He assured the Muslim community in particular that no Nigerian intending pilgrim will miss the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, and that the exercise would be hitch free.

Addressing concerns about the purported contract cancellation with the Saudi-based company, NAHCON Chairman, Prof Saleh Usman, had earlier in the day reassured Nigerians that the issue would not affect the pilgrimage.

“There is no cause for alarm. No single registered pilgrim will be left behind,” Usman declared.

He also dismissed allegations from the Forum of States Pilgrim Welfare Agencies that the contract dispute could derail the pilgrimage.