The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has begun a two-day training programme for licensed Hajj and Umrah tour operators in Kano and Lagos, to improve regulatory compliance, operational efficiency and pilgrims’ welfare ahead of the 2027 Hajj.
The Head of Information and Publications Division of NAHCON, Shafii Sani Mohammed disclosed this in a statement on the programme, which runs from October 26 to 27, 2026.
The Professional Certificate Programme in Hajj and Umrah Operations and Pilgrim Service Management is organised by the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN), in collaboration with the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) and the Hajj and Umrah Tour Operators Association of Nigeria (HUTON).
READ ALSO: NAHCON Advocates Digital Transformation in Hajj Fund Management
Declaring the programme open, NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, said the initiative would prepare Nigerian operators for changes in the global Hajj industry resulting from Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reforms and the emerging business-to-business model, which aims to increase private-sector participation in Hajj operations.
Yusuf said the Commission had secured a three-year phased transition arrangement with Saudi authorities, beginning with 30 per cent private-sector participation in 2027.
The arrangement is expected to give Nigeria time to strengthen its regulatory framework and prepare operators for greater responsibilities.
He urged operators to maintain professional standards, stressing that pilgrims’ welfare must take priority over commercial interests.
The NAHCON chairman also reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to professional certification, digital transformation and effective regulatory oversight.
The Rector of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria, Professor Muhammad Nasirudeen Maiturare, described professional training as essential to modern pilgrimage management.
He highlighted the need for expertise in corporate governance, risk management, operational coordination and international service standards.
Maiturare also outlined the Institute’s academic initiatives, including a Master of Business Administration in Hajj Operations Management in collaboration with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a National Diploma in Hospitality and Hajj Management in partnership with the National Board for Technical Education.
The training covers professional ethics, integrated operations management, lessons from the 2026 Hajj, leadership, conflict resolution, pilgrims’ welfare and collaboration with Saudi service providers.
The initiative is expected to improve operators’ preparedness for the 2027 Hajj and support NAHCON’s efforts to build a professional, competitive and pilgrim-centred Hajj and Umrah industry in Nigeria.
