They insisted that while NAHCON is legally under the Presidency, the 2006 Establishment Act does not assign supervisory power to the Vice President’s office, but rather to the Presidency —historically executed through the SGF.
A coalition of concerned Nigerian Muslims and stakeholders in Hajj administration has written to President Bola Tinubu to make the current supervisory control of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) return to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) as contained in its Act.
In a letter signed by Hassan Abdullahi and Danladi Bello on behalf of the concerned muslims, they stated that the move was necessary to protect the integrity of Hajj operations, prevent institutional instability, and ensure accountability in the management of pilgrims’ welfare.
They insisted that while NAHCON is legally under the Presidency, the 2006 Establishment Act does not assign supervisory power to the Vice President’s office, but rather to the Presidency —historically executed through the SGF.
According to the letter, the arrangement introduced in June 2023 “shifted NAHCON from a neutral administrative coordinating structure under the SGF to a personality-driven political structure under the Vice President,” a development they warned could expose Hajj administration to partisan influence.
The coalition said supervision through the SGF produced better results for over a decade, enabling Nigeria to escape its old reputation as a “study case in Hajj mismanagement” and emerge as one of the most stable organisers in the Muslim world.
The signatories warned that tying NAHCON to the Vice President’s office risks politicisation, frequent administrative disruptions, and weakening of inter-agency coordination essential for pilgrims’ safety.
They urged Tinubu to order a formal review of the current structure and restore NAHCON’s reporting line to the SGF, with the Presidency retaining oversight.
The coalition also cautioned against repeated restructuring of Hajj management, recalling historic failures including the 1991 Jeddah crash, the 1996 Saudi ban on Nigerian pilgrims due to operational lapses, and multiple dissolved boards.
They added that Nigerians judge government performance not from Abuja memos but from real conditions in Makkah and Madinah—transportation, tents in Mina, medical response, feeding, and refund systems.
The group said Tinubu’s intervention will determine whether NAHCON remains a professional institution or slides into politicised control, warning that wrong coordination at the top could harm tens of thousands of pilgrims annually.
The letter reads in part; "We write as concerned citizens and Muslims who care deeply about the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims and the reputation of our country. We respectfully urge you to review the current supervisory arrangement of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and return its day to day supervision to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), while keeping it firmly under the Presidency as required by law.
"This request is about efficiency, productivity, accountability, and the long term stability of Hajj administration in Nigeria.
"On this basis, we respectfully request that you: "Order a formal review of NAHCON’s current supervisory arrangement, with clear terms of reference that include efficiency, coordination, and consistency with the NAHCON Act 2006.
"Restore NAHCON’s supervision to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, while affirming its status as a Commission under the Presidency in line with section 20 of the Act.
"Direct that any future proposals to move NAHCON to a ministry or other political office must be subjected to full stakeholder consultation with state pilgrims boards, recognised Islamic organisations, licensed tour operators and civil society groups.
"Your decision on this matter will shape Hajj administration for the next decade. It will also send a clear message that your government values stable institutions, respects the law, and listens to the voices of ordinary pilgrims whose life savings and spiritual aspirations are at stake."