“No Operator Exceeds Hajj Quota – HUTOAN
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The Hajj and Umrah Tour Operators Association of Nigeria (HUTOAN) has defended private Hajj operators facing scrutiny over alleged quota violations during the 2026 Hajj, insisting that no company exceeded its officially allocated number of pilgrims.
HUTOAN President, Muhammad Auwal, stated this in an exclusive interview with Hajj Gazette while reacting to an ongoing investigation by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) into reports that some operators transported pilgrims beyond their approved allocations.
Auwal explained that the issue arose from operational mergers among some tour operators who combined their registered pilgrims under single arrangements to ease movement and improve welfare services in Saudi Arabia.
According to him, the arrangement led to some facilities allocated to a particular company becoming overstretched, while facilities assigned to other participating operators remained partially occupied or completely unused.
He noted that the development may have created the impression that certain companies exceeded their quotas when, in reality, the total number of pilgrims remained within the approved allocations.
“A company cannot obtain visas beyond its approved pilgrim quota,” Auwal said, noting that authorities tie visa issuance directly to the allocation granted to each operator.
“Visa issuance is fully tied to allocated quota. No company can print visas for more than the number assigned to it,” he added.
The clarification follows NAHCON’s decision to investigate allegations that some operators airlifted additional pilgrims beyond their approved allocations. The Commission has warned that any operator found guilty could face sanctions, including possible revocation of its operating license.
Auwal, however, reaffirmed HUTOAN’s commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance, stressing that the association is ready to collaborate fully with NAHCON and Saudi authorities in the ongoing investigation.
“We will support all efforts to identify, investigate and hold any defaulting company accountable.” HUTOAN will support efforts to identify and hold accountable any operator found to have violated established regulations,” he said.
He maintained that the association remains committed to protecting pilgrims’ welfare and upholding the integrity of Nigeria’s Hajj operations.
