NAHCON, Saudi authorities to sign MoU on 2025 hajj

As part of efforts to ensure a hitch-free Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi authorities for the 2025 Hajj operations.

The MoU signing for the 2025 Hajj is scheduled for January 12, 2025.

NAHCON Assistant Director, Information and Publications, Fatima Usara, who disclosed this on Wednesday, said a delegation led by the Chairman of the commission, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has embarked on a working visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The visit, which commenced on January 7, 2025, is at the invitation of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MoHU).

Usara disclosed that the purpose of the visit is to prepare for the signing of an MoU for the 2025 Hajj and to finalise other arrangements for the annual Muslim pilgrimage.

The delegation to Saudi Arabia includes NAHCON Commissioners for Planning, Research, Statistics, Information, and Library Services (PRSILS); Operations, Inspectorate, and Licensing Services (OILS); and Policy, Personnel Management, and Finance (PPMF)—namely, Prof. Abubakar Abubakar Yagawal, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, and Alhaji Prince Aliu Abdulrazaq, respectively.

Representatives from the States Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards/Agencies/Commissions (SPWB/A/C) and Private Tour Operators (PTOs) are also expected to join the pre-Hajj visit.

Furthermore, representatives from the National Assembly, the Presidency, the aviation industry, and select NAHCON Board Members are part of the delegation to provide oversight and facilitate decision-making.

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Key activities during the visit include the Bilateral Meeting and MoU signing for the 2025 Hajj, scheduled for January 12, 2025.

Usara noted that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, is slated to sign the MoU on behalf of Nigeria, while the delegation will also attend the International Hajj Expo beginning on January 13, 2025, where they will explore and evaluate service provider options for Nigerian pilgrims.

Ahead of these major events, Usara said that the NAHCON Chairman and his team would engage in consular meetings, visits, and meetings with heads of other countries’ Hajj missions, discussions with the supervisors of the Hajj e-track registration portal, discussions with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), and consultations with stakeholders to finalize the Commission’s preparations for the MoU signing.

“Following these engagements, various contracts will be signed based on the agreements reached. The agreement will include the signing of contracts with United Agents, Car Syndicates, Tafweej, Adillah in Madinah, Health Supervision Company, among others.

“Other NAHCON staff will inspect accommodation, catering facilities, and medical establishments in Makkah and Madinah to ensure they meet the required standards before formal agreements are made,” the statement added.