By Musa Baba Adamu
A delegation National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) headed by its Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, is in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the authorities of the country on this year’s Hajj exercise.
This was disclosed in a statement by Hajiya Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director, Information and Publications of the Commission yesterday.
According to the statement, the visit, which commenced on January 7, 2025, is at the invitation of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MoHU).
It said: “The purpose of the visit is to prepare for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the 2025 Hajj and to finalize other arrangements for the annual Muslim pilgrimage.”
It added that the delegation “includes 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 expected to join the pre-Hajj visit.
“ Additionally, 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.”
It informed that the key of the delegation includes “the Bilateral Meeting and MoU signing for the 2025 Hajj, scheduled for January 12, 2025.
“The Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar is slated to sign the MoU on behalf of Nigeria.
“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.”
It said ahead of these major events, the delegation 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 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 signing of contracts with United Agents, Car Syndicates, Tafweej, Adillah in Madinah, Health Supervision Comany etc.
“Meanwhile, 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.”
