The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has issued a firm denial against circulating reports that it sought approval to extend service contracts from the 2025 Hajj into the 2026 pilgrimage season.
NAHCON Rejects Misleading Reports
In a statement released on Wednesday, December 18, 2025, the commission described claims that it applied to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) for a contract rollover as inaccurate and misleading. NAHCON emphasized that its procurement strategy for the upcoming 2026 Hajj was shaped by concrete operational necessities, not an attempt to circumvent established procedures.
The commission clarified that it never formally requested such a rollover at any point. It labeled the narrative being spread as a significant distortion of the actual facts surrounding its preparations for next year's pilgrimage.
Emergency Saudi Timelines Dictate Procurement Process
NAHCON provided a detailed explanation for its approach, pointing directly to the strict, non-negotiable calendar set by the authorities in Saudi Arabia. The commission stated that the emergency character of Hajj planning and the tight deadlines issued by the Saudi government left minimal room for lengthy, open tender processes that are typical under normal circumstances.
These timelines, according to NAHCON, apply uniformly to all countries participating in the Hajj and necessitate early engagement with service providers to ensure seamless operations. The commission defended its actions by citing Section 43 of Nigeria's Public Procurement Act of 2007. This section legally permits emergency procurement procedures in situations where time constraints make standard competitive bidding impractical or impossible.
No Automatic Renewal of Old Contract Terms
Importantly, NAHCON moved to clarify a critical distinction. It stated that re-engaging certain service providers from the previous year does not equate to an automatic renewal of the previous contract's terms, scope, or conditions.
The commission revealed that a comprehensive post-mortem was conducted after the 2025 Hajj. This review included thorough performance assessments and service evaluations across all operational areas. Based on the findings of these reviews, NAHCON asserts it retains full discretion to modify contract terms, adjust service volumes, and alter scopes of work for the 2026 Hajj.
No service provider is entitled to assume the same conditions will apply as in the previous year, the commission stressed. Its decisions for 2026 engagements will be guided by principles of transparency, accountability, value for money, and service quality. Key factors for selection will include:
- Past performance records
- Operational capacity and readiness
- Compliance history
- Ability to meet Saudi regulatory standards within the compressed timeframe
NAHCON concluded its statement with a warning against attempts to misuse the emergency nature of the 2026 Hajj preparations to undermine its mandate or mislead the public. It advised all stakeholders to refrain from misrepresenting lawful administrative actions as procurement violations and encouraged genuine concerns to be channeled through its official communication channels for proper resolution.
