When Christian pilgrims received the kindness of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a 50 percent reduction in fares, Muslims expected the same relief. Instead, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), dominated by Muslims and entrusted with a sacred responsibility, is now drowning in fraud, corruption, and brazen looting.
This is the same commission that should serve Allah by organizing Hajj. Sadly, it has become home to officials who preach religious purity but act with corruption and criminality.
Under President Tinubu, the Hajj fare has now risen to a staggering ₦9 million, compared to just ₦3 million before he assumed power. This is coming from a leader who secured 64 percent of his votes mainly from Northern Muslims, largely on the strength of his Muslim–Muslim ticket. Yet, rather than ease their burden, his policies have deprived countless Muslims of performing one of the pillars of their faith.
Worse still, many Islamic scholars, who year after year benefited from free Hajj tickets and openly campaigned for the president, have remained silent. Instead of standing for justice, their main concern appears to be conniving with the system to get their own share.
Anybody familiar with Hajj travel will tell you the truth: ₦9 million is an inflated scam. The actual cost of airfare, hotel accommodation for 30 days, and feeding does not come close. Every year, billions are raised from helpless worshippers, only to be stolen under the cover of religion. This confirms the Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) warning to perform Hajj before a time comes when people will be stopped from fulfilling this sacred act of worship. That time seems to be here.
Meanwhile, the Christian Pilgrimage Commission, which former President Obasanjo once said was created to balance the Hajj Commission, has been smarter and result-oriented. They fought for their members and achieved the 50 percent slash in fares. By contrast, NAHCON remains neck-deep in scandal. A former chairman was sacked over an alleged ₦90 billion fraud, and now two top officials are in EFCC custody for allegedly cornering almost ₦50 billion.
Instead of campaigning to reduce the burden on Muslim pilgrims, NAHCON has launched a dubious scheme demanding ₦8.5 million upfront deposits before even announcing the official fare. For many Muslims, this is nothing but another strategy to exploit them while leaders enrich themselves.
What should be a pillar of faith has been reduced to a marketplace of fraud, run by people who use religion as cover for theft. Until the commission is cleansed of these dishonest actors, ordinary Muslims will continue to suffer.
May Allah give us leaders in the Hajj Commission who fear Him and serve His people with sincerity.
Salisu Uba Kofar Wambai writes from Kano