By: Jabiru Hassan.

A civil society organisation, Independent Hajj Reporters, has uncovered fresh developments in the ongoing registration process for the 2026 Hajj, pointing to alleged irregular practices in some states after the reopening of the portal for upload of pilgrims data.

The identities of the affected states are being withheld for now due to the sensitive nature of the findings.

Information available to Independent Hajj Reporters indicates that some officials of state pilgrims’ welfare boards are allegedly collecting fresh international passports from intending pilgrims and charging amounts higher than the initial Hajj fare earlier announced by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The passports are reportedly being substituted with those already in the custody of the boards to enable data upload before the deadline.

If confirmed, the alleged practice suggests an attempt to replace pilgrims who had already completed their payments with new entrants willing to pay higher sums, particularly in states that have already exhausted their allocated Hajj slots.

In light of this development, Hajj Reporters calls on NAHCON, state pilgrims welfare boards, and other relevant authorities to intensify monitoring of the registration process across states to prevent abuse of the system. 

The organisation also urges intending pilgrims to remain vigilant and to be wary of any state agency still collecting new passports beyond its approved allocation, as such actions may indicate attempts to substitute already registered pilgrims. 

Independent Hajj Reporters notes that this caution is consistent with NAHCON’s recent public advisory, in which the commission warned the public against making fresh payments to any individual, group, or agency, stressing that payment for the 2026 Hajj has officially closed and that updates would only be communicated through its verified channels.

Independent Hajj Reporters emphasises that urgent intervention by NAHCON is necessary to protect the integrity of the Hajj registration process and to safeguard the interests of pilgrims who have already paid the officially approved Hajj fare.