The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says it has secured extra 10,000 slots for Muslims wishing to perform the 2027 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia.
The Chairman of NAHCON, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, announced the additional allocation in Abuja on Thursday.
He said the extra allocations came as a result of sustained high-level diplomatic engagements between the Nigerian and Saudi Arabian governments.
Of the 10,000 additional slots, Yusuf said 7,500 will be allocated to State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies and Commissions, while 2,500 will be distributed among seven lead licensed Hajj tour operators.
The new allocation brings the total number of Nigerian pilgrims permitted to participate in the 2027 Hajj to 60,000.
The NAHCON Chairman expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the Saudi authorities for the additional allocation.
He particularly acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s support for the Hajj sector and the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims, as well as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, and his deputy, Dr Abdul Fattah bin Sulaiman Mashat.
Yusuf said the additional slots reflected the longstanding relations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia and the cooperation between both countries in facilitating the pilgrimage for Nigerian Muslims.
He assured that the additional allocation would be administered transparently and in accordance with Nigerian and Saudi regulations, in collaboration with state pilgrims’ welfare authorities and licensed private tour operators.
The NAHCON chairman reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to making Hajj affordable and accessible to Nigerians while maintaining standards in service delivery, regulatory compliance, accountability and operational efficiency.
He said the commission would continue working with Saudi authorities and other stakeholders to ensure effective coordination of the 2027 pilgrimage and safeguard the welfare and interests of Nigerian pilgrims.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
