The Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHOUN) has suspended all registration activities for the 2025 Hajj, citing unresolved financial disputes with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The suspension comes as a result of NAHCON’s failure to return caution deposits accumulated over several years.
In a statement by AHOUN President, AbdulLateef Yusuff Ekundayo, the group announced that its National Executive Council (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) have collectively agreed to halt preparations for the 2025 Hajj until their demands, specifically the outstanding refunds, are addressed.
AHOUN also advised its members not to submit or process Hajj 2025 forms, urging those who had already done so to report their details to zonal vice presidents.
NAHCON responded by clarifying that the caution deposit is intended to compensate pilgrims in cases of service failure by tour operators, and that the refund process is ongoing. The commission reported that 139 of the 241 tour operators for 2023 had received their refunds, with 70 opting to roll over their deposits for 2024. However, only 26 companies have applied for the 2024 refund, and further disbursements have been delayed due to administrative changes at NAHCON.
