The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has identified major gaps between pilgrim expectations and actual services provided during the 2026 Hajj operations in Mina and Arafat.
In an assessment report covering feeding, welfare, official presence, orientation and Hadaya (animal sacrifice) services, the IHR media monitoring team noted poor coordination of meal distribution. Some camps received food early, while others faced significant delays. Although the approved meal quantities were largely met, the quality in several instances fell below acceptable standards.
Consequently, the IHR called for refunds to states where meals were missed entirely or where quality did not meet approved standards.
On welfare and official presence, the team observed a shortage of officials in some state pilgrims’ tents, with many unreachable during monitoring visits. “While some state officials wore uniforms, others dressed in ihram, making it difficult for pilgrims to identify and approach them,” the report stated. However, staff of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) were commended for their visible commitment, assisting pilgrims and distributing meals in uniform across Nigerian camps.
Regarding pilgrim conduct and religious orientation, the IHR recommended that NAHCON and state Muslim pilgrims’ welfare boards introduce mandatory lectures on discipline, moral values and expected religious behaviour before pilgrims proceed to Mina, to strengthen adherence to Hajj’s spiritual objectives.
The team also expressed concern over a lack of transparency in the Hadaya exercise. “There appears to be no clear regulatory framework governing payment collection and implementation, leaving many pilgrims vulnerable to exploitation,” the report noted. While some states formed committees and conducted the sacrifice properly, others merely collected payments without providing verifiable evidence that the sacrifice was carried out.
The IHR urged NAHCON to develop and enforce a standard framework for Hadaya payments and implementation in future Hajj operations, to enhance transparency, accountability and public confidence.