By Deji Abdulwahab
Abuja, Dec. 18, 2025 (NAN) – The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has issued a firm rebuttal against what it terms “false and misleading” claims circulating about its procurement process for the 2026 Hajj. The commission categorically denies seeking or applying a rollover approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) for contracts with 2025 Hajj service providers.
In a detailed statement released by Ahmad Muazu, Technical Assistant (Media) to the commission’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, NAHCON moved to correct the record and provide crucial context often missing from public discourse on Hajj logistics.
Addressing the Core Misconception
“NAHCON has noted with concern, the persistent misrepresentation and misinformation surrounding the engagement of Hajj service providers for the 2026 Hajj operations,” the statement began. “These claims wrongly suggest that the commission sought or applied a rollover approval from BPP for 2025 Hajj service providers. This position is false and misleading. For the avoidance of doubt, NAHCON did not at any time request for a rollover of contracts from the BPP.”
This clarification is vital in Nigeria’s public procurement landscape, where “rollover” can imply an automatic renewal without due process, potentially sidestepping accountability. NAHCON’s insistence on the distinction sets a precedent for transparency.
The Rationale: Emergency Procurement Under the Law
Muazu explained that the decision not to initiate a fresh bidding process for certain 2026 services was driven by two critical, external constraints:
- The Fixed Saudi Arabian Timeline: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issues a non-negotiable, unified calendar for all participating countries. This schedule offers an extremely tight window for all Hajj missions globally to secure flights, accommodation, and ground services. Nigeria operates within this immutable framework.
- BPP Advertisement Rules: Standard open bidding processes require a minimum advertisement period, which the Saudi timeline simply does not accommodate for all service tiers.
This approach, NAHCON asserts, is “fully consistent with Section 43 of the Public Procurement Act 2007.” This section provides a legal foundation for emergency procurement, applicable when time constraints make standard tender processes impracticable. It is not a loophole but a lawful provision for exigent circumstances, placing the 2026 Hajj procurement in a specific legal category distinct from a routine government contract.
Performance, Not Preservation: The Key Differentiator
Perhaps the most significant point of expansion is NAHCON’s emphasis that re-engagement is not an automatic renewal. The statement made this unequivocally clear:
“It is important to state clearly that the re-engagement procurement does not translate to automatic renewal or preservation of existing contract terms. Following the 2025 Hajj, the commission carried out performance reviews, service evaluations, and satisfaction assessments across all service areas. Based on these findings, NAHCON is under no obligation to retain identical contractual terms, scope or volume arrangements previously applied in 2025.”
This transforms the narrative from one of continuity to one of conditional continuity based on merit. Service providers are being assessed on:
– Past performance and compliance history.
– Operational capacity for 2026.
– Ability to meet evolving Saudi regulatory requirements.
– The outcomes of pilgrim satisfaction surveys.
A Warning Against Misinformation and an Invitation for Engagement
NAHCON’s statement concluded with a dual message. First, a warning: “The commission will not tolerate any attempt to exploit the emergency nature of 2026 Hajj operations to undermine its statutory mandate or to distort public understanding of procurement processes.” It urged stakeholders to stop abusing procurement discourse to “mislead the public or mischaracterise lawful administrative decisions.”
Second, an invitation for constructive dialogue: The commission encouraged service providers and interested parties with genuine concerns to submit them formally through established channels. “NAHCON has established mechanisms for dispute resolution and remains committed to fair hearing and institutional accountability… Constructive engagement, not misinformation, is the path to strengthening Nigeria’s Hajj administration and safeguarding the welfare of pilgrims.”
This refined position underscores that while the process may be expedited due to emergency conditions, the principles of accountability, performance-based selection, and transparency remain firmly in place. The ultimate goal, as reiterated, is “value for money, and quality service for Nigerian pilgrims.”
(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
ADA/KAE
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Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
