Hajj 2026: CSO observes gaps between services provided, pilgrims expectations

The Independent Hajj Reporters Media Monitoring Team has observed significant gaps between the expectations of pilgrims and the services eventually provided in some critical areas.

The Civil Society Organisation linked this assertion to its assessment of the just concluded Hajj operations in Mina and Arafat.

IHR in a report e-signed by the Chairman, Monitoring Team, Nasiru Lawal, made the observation covering feeding, pilgrims welfare, official presence, orientation, and hadaya services at Mina and Arafat.

On feeding services in Mina, the monitoring team said it observed that the distribution of meals was not adequately coordinated, adding that while some camps received theirs early, others experienced considerable delays. 

“Although the approved quantity of meals was largely maintained, the quality of food supplied in some instances fell below acceptable standards,” the IHR alleged.

Consequently, it called for refunds to be made to states where meal supplies were either missed entirely or where the quality of food provided did not meet approved standards for pilgrims.

For pilgrims’ welfare and official presence, the team reported that it observed a shortage of officials in some state pilgrims’ tents, with many of them virtually unreachable during visits by the monitoring team. 

IHR noted that while some states’ officials adorned their uniforms, others were dressed in ihram, making it difficult for pilgrims to identify and approach them for any assistance.

Despite this, the group commended staff of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for demonstrating commendable commitment throughout their stay in Mina.

It recalled that the Monitoring Team observed NAHCONs personnel across the Nigerian camp either attending to pilgrims or assisting in the distribution of meals with their official uniforms.

On the conduct of pilgrims and their religious orientation, the IHR monitoring team based its observations on some random tents in Mina. 

Meanwhile, the group has recommended that NAHCON and the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards should introduce mandatory lectures on discipline, moral values, and expected religious conduct before pilgrims proceed to Mina.

IT said such orientation would assist in strengthening adherence to the spiritual objectives of Hajj and promote better behaviour amongst the pilgrims.

On Hadaya (Animal Sacrifice), the IHR Media Monitoring expressed concern about the lack of transparency surrounding its conduct for Nigerian pilgrims.

It said there appears to be no clear regulatory framework governing the collection of payments and implementation of the exercise, leaving many pilgrims vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous officials.

IHR recalled that while some states successfully conducted the Hadaya and established committees to supervise its implementation, others merely collected payments from pilgrims without providing any verifiable evidence that the sacrifice was carried out.

The group therefore advised NAHCON, in its oversight capacity, to develop and enforce a standard framework for the collection of payments and implementation of Hadaya in future Hajj operations.

It said this will enhance transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the process.