The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has dismissed allegations of racketeering and procedural irregularities in the selection of the 2025 Hajj National Medical Team (NMT), asserting that the process was transparent and conducted according to established standards.
In a statement issued on May 3, 2025, NAHCON responded to reports accusing the commission of bias and corruption in the screening of medical personnel for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage. The commission described the allegations as unfounded and an attempt to discredit its operations.
NAHCON clarified that the selection process for the medical team was managed by a Steering Committee led by Professor Abubakar Yagawal, the Commissioner for Planning, Research, Statistics, Information, and Library Services. The committee, composed of senior medical professionals and NAHCON officials, was tasked with ensuring that only qualified candidates were chosen based on set criteria.
According to the commission, a total of 8,452 applications were properly submitted through the Medical Team Application portal. These applications were rigorously screened based on professional qualifications, past participation in the medical team (excluding those who served in the last three years), willingness to volunteer, physical fitness, and availability for the duration of the Hajj.
NAHCON further explained that the selection of personnel for offshore operations was determined by factors such as office attendance, role relevance, past performance, disciplinary records, and operational requirements, rather than seniority or years of service within the commission.
The commission emphasized that it is fully committed to transparency and fairness in all its processes, including the selection of personnel for the Hajj operations. NAHCON urged the public and media to verify information before reporting, cautioning against the spread of misinformation that could tarnish the commission’s reputation and affect the integrity of its work.
In conclusion, NAHCON reassured the public that the screening of medical personnel for the 2025 Hajj is in line with the highest standards of professionalism, and that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the smooth execution of the pilgrimage.
