By Gwurld4026 
Saudi Firm’s Legal Challenge to Nigeria’s Hajj Commission
A Saudi Arabian company, Mashariq Al-Dhahabiah, has threatened legal action against the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) over an alleged breach of contract. The dispute centers on the cancellation of a service agreement for the 2025 Hajj, which the Forum of Chief Executives of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards claims was unilaterally terminated by NAHCON’s chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman. This cancellation has raised concerns that thousands of Nigerian pilgrims might be unable to participate in the 2025 Hajj due to potential visa access issues.
In response, Professor Usman clarified that the Saudi authorities, not NAHCON, were responsible for revoking and subsequently reinstating the contracts of two service providers. He emphasized that NAHCON did not cancel the contract and is actively engaging with Saudi officials to prevent any disruptions to Hajj preparations.
This situation follows a history of contractual challenges between NAHCON and Saudi service providers. In 2022, the Saudi government refunded over N107 million to NAHCON due to poor services rendered to Nigerian pilgrims by a Saudi company.
Additionally, in September 2024, President Bola Tinubu dismissed the then-chairman of NAHCON amidst corruption allegations, appointing Professor Usman as his replacement.