Hajj 2027: Saudi Arabia approves additional 10,000 slots for Nigeria

* NAHCON says 7,500 slots will go to state pilgrims’ boards, while 2,500 will be allocated to seven lead tour operators.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has approved an additional 10,000 Hajj slots for Nigeria for the 2027 Hajj.

In a statement on Thursday, the commission said the development followed sustained high-level diplomatic engagements between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The additional allocation brings Nigeria’s total Hajj allocation for the 2027 pilgrimage from 50,000 to 60,000 slots.

NAHCON said the 10,000 additional slots had been distributed as follows: 7,500 slots to State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies and Commissions; and 2,500 slots to the seven lead tour operator companies.

The Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, expressed the commission’s profound appreciation to the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for its continued support, guidance and commitment to the Hajj sector and the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.

Yusuf also expressed the commission’s sincere appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, and the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Abdul Fattah bin Sulaiman Mashat, for the Kingdom’s continued cooperation and the significant gesture of goodwill towards Nigeria and its pilgrims.

The NAHCON chairman/CEO noted that the additional allocation further reflects the cordial and longstanding relations between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as the close cooperation between the two countries in facilitating the Hajj journey of Nigerian pilgrims.

He assured that the additional slots would be administered judiciously and transparently, in full compliance with applicable Nigerian and Saudi Arabian regulations and operational requirements, in collaboration with the relevant State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies and Commissions and licensed private tour operators.

Yusuf reiterated NAHCON’s commitment to ensuring that Hajj remains affordable and accessible to Nigerians while maintaining high standards of service delivery, regulatory compliance, accountability and operational efficiency.

He further reaffirmed that the commission would continue to work closely with the relevant authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other stakeholders to ensure a well-coordinated 2027 Hajj and safeguard the dignity, welfare and overall interests of Nigerian pilgrims.

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