NAHCON, HIN to push for financial reform in Hajj operations
ALL is set for the 2025 hajj operations as the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) confirms the May 9, 2025, inaugural flight of Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 
  
Meanwhile, NAHCON and the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN) will push for financial reforms in hajj operations at the second edition of the yearly National Hajj Stakeholders Summit on April 30, 2025. The event will take place at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
  
Besides, the commission has also concluded that 43,000 intending pilgrims have been allocated to the four official airlines selected for this year’s exercise. 
  
At an expanded stakeholders’ meeting, yesterday, at Hajj House, Abuja, NAHCON’s Commissioner in charge of Operations, Anofiu Elegushi, disclosed that Air Peace had been assigned 5,128 pilgrims cumulative from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Ondo, Rivers and Taraba states as well as the Armed Forces. 

Similarly, Elegushi revealed that FlyNas, a Saudi-based airline, was deploying nine aircraft with the allocation of 12,506 pilgrims from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kebbi, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Sokoto and Zamfara states. 
   
He added: “Max Air is airlifting pilgrims from Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Oyo and Plateau states. The airline promised to conclude the airlift of its 15,203 maximum by May 24. Two aircraft will be deployed for the operation: a B747 with 400 capacity and the second aircraft with a 560 capacity. 
   
“Umza has been allocated 10,163 pilgrims from Kaduna, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Niger and Yobe states. It is deploying two aircraft: a B747 with 477 capacity and a B777 with 310 capacity. The 2025 Hajj airlift distribution was calculated on a total of 43,000 pilgrims.”
  
The Commissioner for Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services (PRSILS), Prof Abubakar Yagawal, equally informed the house of the level of preparedness in the area of clinics secured in Makkah and Madinah, distribution of Yellow Cards to states. 
  
Unveiling the meeting, NAHCON Chairman, Prof Abdullah Usman, reminded the house that the Hajj industry is in the last lap of preparation before the commencement of the 2025 Hajj season. 
  
Usman urged the states to update NAHCON on the level they reached in visa production, vaccination, bags procurement and other sundry matters. 
   
In a statement by NAHCON’s spokesperson, Fatima Usara, the meeting further deliberated and concluded that the airlift will conclude on May 24, 2025, while the inbound flight is tentatively scheduled to commence from June 13 and end by July 2.
THIS year’s National Hajj Stakeholders Summit, themed Sustainable Hajj Financing: Developing a Resilient Model for Nigerian Pilgrims and Operators, will focus on ways to create a lasting and reliable financial system for Hajj operations in Nigeria.
  
Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to attend the event as the Special Guest, while Prof Usman is the Chief Host.
  
According to the Rector of HIN, Prof Muhammad Maiturare, preparations are already in full swing. On April 14, the summit’s steering committee was inaugurated at the HIN conference room. The committee is chaired by the Deputy Rector of the Institute, Prof Wasiu Gabadeen.
  
Other members of the committee include the HIN Registrar, Prof Abubakar Jalingo, staff of NAHCON’s Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS), representatives from NAHCON’s States and Zones Unit, the Protocol department, and the Media arm.
  
This year’s summit will be focusing on building financial models that will help solve the financial problems faced by the Hajj industry in Nigeria. The goal is to make Hajj operations more financially stable, with proper oversight, risk management and protection of pilgrims’ funds. The summit will also explore how digital platforms and technology can improve payments, track savings, and make financial processes more efficient.
  
The keynote address will be delivered by Dr Mansur Muhtar, a former Vice President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in Jeddah and the  Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Industry (BoI).