The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says it has secured a three-year transition period from Saudi Arabia for the implementation of new regulations affecting the organisation of Hajj operations.
NAHCON Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja on Nigeria’s response to reforms introduced by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah ahead of the 2027 pilgrimage.
He said the reforms, introduced under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the Pilgrim Experience Programme, would increase digitalisation and private-sector participation in Hajj operations.
According to Yusuf, Saudi authorities had initially proposed transferring 98 per cent of national pilgrim quotas from government-run welfare boards to private business-to-business (B2B) tour operators.
He said Nigeria’s engagement with the Saudi authorities resulted in an agreement for a phased transition, beginning with 30 per cent B2B participation for the 2027 Hajj.
READ ALSO:VP Shettima Hails NAHCON for Successful 2026 Hajj
Yusuf said the arrangement, reached on August 18, would allow Nigeria three years to adjust to the new system instead of implementing the proposed 98 per cent transition immediately.
He said the Saudi reforms also included changes to Hajj service packages, with services consolidated into three tiers and the low-cost “Package D” discontinued.
The chairman added that foreign Hajj personnel would now be required to undergo Saudi-certified training before receiving operational visas.
He said the Nusuk App and Nusuk Masar platform had also become central to the Hajj process, covering visa applications, hotel bookings, flight confirmations and entry permits, as well as access to the Rawdah Al-Sharifah.
Nigeria’s 2027 Hajj quota
Yusuf said Saudi Arabia had fixed September 26, 2026, as the deadline for quota confirmation, payment remittance and data uploads for the 2027 Hajj.
He disclosed that Nigeria’s allocation had been set at 50,000 pilgrims, based on previous quota utilisation.
According to him, NAHCON had requested additional slots because of demand from State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, but the request was rejected by Saudi authorities on September 15.
He said Nigeria had accepted the 50,000 quota and would ensure transparent internal allocation among the states.
The NAHCON chairman said the Commission’s engagement with Saudi authorities was aimed at ensuring that the reforms did not place an excessive financial burden on Nigerian pilgrims.
He said Nigeria had also accepted the need to comply with the new Saudi regulations in order to maintain smooth relations with the authorities responsible for the pilgrimage.
Measures for Nigerian pilgrims
Yusuf said NAHCON was working with state governments to prepare for the new operating framework.
He said State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards were being encouraged to establish state-backed private tour companies that could participate in the B2B system.
The objective, he said, was to increase Nigeria’s participation in the new framework while keeping pilgrimage costs within reasonable limits.
He added that NAHCON was upgrading its digital processes to meet the September 26 deadline and had commenced sensitisation programmes for state officials, local fare collectors and intending pilgrims.
Yusuf said the Commission would also strengthen licensing requirements and compliance monitoring for private tour operators to protect pilgrims from excessive charges and poor service delivery.
NAHCON outlines next steps.
The chairman said NAHCON was reviewing its operations in response to the changes introduced by Saudi Arabia.
He listed early planning, compliance with procurement requirements, staff training, stakeholder engagement, pilgrim education, and stronger monitoring and evaluation among the Commission’s priorities.
Yusuf said the measures were intended to ensure that Nigeria remained compliant with the new Hajj regulations while protecting the interests of its pilgrims.
