A senior official of the Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has raised serious concerns over the alleged exploitation of Nigerian pilgrims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, citing cases where pilgrims are being charged excessively for routine services.
Speaking in confidence to Hajj Reporters, the official revealed that some unsuspecting Nigerian pilgrims are being charged as much as $100 (approximately 373 Saudi Riyals) for services that officially cost only SR150. The sharp difference, he noted, raises concerns about possible racketeering or lack of proper oversight in the administration of services to pilgrims abroad.
“This is not just an issue of cost inflation, it is a matter of fairness, transparency, and the protection of our pilgrims, many of whom have saved for years to fulfill this religious obligation,” the official lamented.
According to him, the affected service relates to routine procedures which are part of the pilgrims’ welfare provisions, and such inflated charges are unjustifiable under the current Hajj administration framework.
The development has sparked renewed calls for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to intensify monitoring of service providers, especially those contracted overseas, and to ensure that Nigerian pilgrims are not subjected to unnecessary financial burdens.
Many of the pilgrims, who are often elderly and not conversant with pricing regulations in Saudi Arabia, rely on the guidance of local officials to navigate their journey. As such, any lack of transparency or exploitation can significantly impact their spiritual experience and financial well-being.
Stakeholders in the Hajj sector have urged Nigerian authorities to investigate the reports and take appropriate action to sanction any parties found guilty of overcharging. There are also renewed demands for NAHCON to publish an accessible pricing guide and to station trained monitoring teams at key service points in the holy land.
This incident comes at a time when Nigerian pilgrims are already grappling with increased costs of Hajj travel, due to currency fluctuations and inflation, prompting greater scrutiny of every aspect of the pilgrimage process.
