FG To Strengthen Hajj Administration Through Diplomatic Collaboration

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to improve Hajj administration, enhance consular services and ensure the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, gave the assurance while receiving the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, during a courtesy visit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.

Ambassador Enikanolaiye commended NAHCON for the successful conduct of the 2026 Hajj exercise, describing it as a significant improvement over previous years. He attributed the success to the Commission’s professionalism, meticulous planning and commitment to the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.

The Minister pledged the Ministry’s continued support in handling diplomatic, consular and bilateral matters relating to Hajj operations, stressing that sustained engagement with Saudi authorities remains crucial to the successful management of the annual pilgrimage.

Earlier, the NAHCON Chairman congratulated the Minister on his appointment and highlighted the importance of diplomacy in coordinating Hajj operations. He noted that the annual movement of more than 50,000 Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia requires close collaboration among NAHCON, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in the Kingdom.

Ambassador Yusuf disclosed that preparations for the 2027 Hajj have commenced in line with Saudi Arabia’s timetable, adding that Nigeria has been allocated about 50,000 pilgrimage slots for the exercise.

He also revealed that Saudi authorities have proposed a gradual transition to a predominantly private tour operator model for Nigeria’s Hajj operations.

According to him, while the initiative has potential benefits, its implementation must take into account Nigeria’s unique demographic realities, digital infrastructure and the operational capacity of private operators.

The NAHCON Chairman further announced that the annual Hajj Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia is scheduled to be signed in November 2026, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the Ministry throughout the process.

Both sides also reviewed measures to improve future Hajj operations, including stricter medical screening for intending pilgrims, intensified public awareness on Saudi travel regulations, stronger institutional coordination and sustained engagement with Saudi authorities on ongoing reforms in Hajj administration.

The meeting ended with both parties reaffirming their commitment to deepening cooperation to strengthen Hajj administration, improve consular support, protect the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims and further consolidate bilateral relations between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

PR/Uju Oparaji