Nigerian travel company Wakanow has received recognition from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for its performance in supporting international travel to the Kingdom for Umrah during the first quarter of the 1448 AH season.

The company was recognised under the Award for Excellence in Performance of International Travel Platforms, Q1 1448 AH, acknowledging its contribution to international Umrah travel.

The recognition comes as Wakanow continues to expand its Umrah services for Nigerian travellers and customers in other markets.

Its services include visa assistance, accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, airport transfers and ground transportation, bringing several key components of the pilgrimage journey together on its platform.

Bayo Adedeji, Group Chief Executive Officer of Wakanow, described the recognition as an important milestone for the company and a validation of the work of its teams and partners.

“We are proud to be recognised by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. This is an important milestone for Wakanow because it validates the work that our teams and partners continue to put into serving travellers undertaking Umrah,” Adedeji said.

He said the company’s responsibility extended beyond helping customers make bookings, noting that Umrah travel required careful planning and dependable coordination.

“Our objective is to make that journey as seamless as possible by providing the right support before departure and throughout the travel experience,” he said.

Wakanow said its Umrah offering is designed to simplify the arrangements required before and during pilgrimage, including visa support, accommodation, airport transfers and ground transportation.

The company said its platform and service network allow travellers to coordinate multiple aspects of their journey while accessing support at different stages of their trip.

According to Wakanow, the approach reflects the growing demand among African travellers for convenience, reliability and coordinated travel services, particularly when undertaking international pilgrimage.

Adedeji said changing expectations among African travellers were also influencing how travel companies provide services.

“African travellers are increasingly looking for travel companies that understand their needs and can deliver beyond the basic transaction,” he said.

“Our ambition at Wakanow is to build that trust through service, technology and strong partnerships. Recognition from the Saudi Ministry encourages us to continue raising the bar.”

The recognition comes amid the growing role of digital platforms in helping travellers research, plan and book international journeys.

Wakanow said it was continuing to invest in technology, service delivery and partnerships to improve customer experience across its travel offerings.

For Umrah travellers, the company said its focus remained on making the pilgrimage planning process more coordinated by bringing multiple travel requirements together through a single service platform.

Wakanow said it would continue to strengthen its Umrah services and customer experience while working with stakeholders across the international pilgrimage travel sector.

The Saudi Ministry’s recognition further highlights the role of Nigerian travel companies in facilitating international pilgrimage journeys and serving the growing travel needs of customers from Africa.