Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has criticized the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) over the alleged poor treatment of Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. In a series of tweets, the governor accused the commission of failing to provide adequate food, leading to hunger and illness among the pilgrims.
Governor Bago highlighted that the imposition of unfamiliar Arabian cuisine on the pilgrims was causing health issues. He asserted, “NAHCON should not impose Arabian food on Nigerians. Some of our people are falling sick because of this.”
He proposed a decentralized approach to catering, suggesting that states should be allowed to provide food familiar to their pilgrims. “If you allow me to feed pilgrims from Niger State, I will ensure they receive food they are accustomed to. I would arrange for the transportation of our local foods to Saudi Arabia, ensuring our pilgrims are well-fed with meals they are used to,” he said.
Bago also criticized NAHCON’s involvement in non-regulatory activities such as chartering flights and feeding pilgrims. He emphasized the need for the private sector to take over these operational aspects, allowing NAHCON to focus solely on regulatory functions. “NAHCON should exist strictly as a regulatory body. I will propose this to the National Governors Forum (NGF) and the National Economic Council (NEC) and push for legislative changes at the National Assembly,” he stated.
Furthermore, Governor Bago expressed dissatisfaction with the financial arrangements for the pilgrims. He questioned why pilgrims received only $400 after paying substantial fees, despite federal subsidies. “What is $400 for a month? People paid N8 million to NAHCON, and they get only $400 as a stipend. Hajj operations should not last beyond two weeks, yet pilgrims are kept here for 40 to 45 days due to inefficiencies and racketeering in airlifting and cargo handling.”
The governor concluded by stating that the federal government should not be burdened with Hajj operations, as this responsibility lies with local governments.
