THE National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) held a virtual meeting with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU) to discuss preparations for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.

Led by NAHCON’s Commissioner for Policy, Personnel, Management, and Finance (PPMF), Alhaji Aliu Abdulrazaq, the meeting aimed to address challenges faced during the 2024 Hajj and ensure a successful 2025 Hajj experience.

Representatives from Saudi Arabia included officials from the MOHU, Saudi Immigration Service, and the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). NAHCON’s Commissioner for Operations, Inspectorate, and Licensing, Prince Anofi Elegushi, and Commissioner for Planning, Research, Statistics, and Information and Library Services (PRSILS), Prof Abubakar Yagawal, also attended the meeting.

Alhaji Abdulrazaq commended the MOHU for the successful 2024 Hajj operations and revealed that NAHCON had begun preparations for the 2025 Hajj. Dr. Badr Assulamy, Director General of the Office of the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, requested NAHCON’s full support to ensure a successful 2025 Hajj.

He outlined a timeline of activities, emphasizing the need for early payment of Hajj fares, completion of contractual agreements, and issuance of licenses to air carriers and stakeholders before visa issuance.

NAHCON was encouraged to complete visa issuance before the deadline date of February 19, 2025. Dr. Assulamy also advised the Commission to exercise patience on issues that occurred in Mina and to collaborate with service providers to select the best location in Mina if Hajj fares are remitted early.

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Guidelines for the 2025 Hajj include mandatory vaccination for pilgrims, indication of any health conditions during registration, and awareness of the importance of NUSUK identity cards.

Alhaji Abdulrazaq raised concerns about challenges faced by pilgrims during the 2024 Hajj, including toilet shortages, meal quality, transportation issues, and tent allocation problems. He called on MOHU to address these issues to avoid recurrence.

Ms. Rawan Alassaf highlighted the awareness platform created by the Ministry, which captures pilgrims’ experiences and provides interactive learning systems in Makkah and Madina. She invited NAHCON to assign a communication officer to liaise with MOFU on developing specific content to assist Nigerian pilgrims.

Alhaji Abdulrazaq reiterated the need to settle the challenges faced by pilgrims during the 2024 Hajj to ensure a seamless experience in 2025.

Nigeria’s quota remains 95,000 slots, with 75 allocated to the government quota and 20,000 to the private sector.

Saudi Hajj Ministry urges NAHCON to step up preparations for 2025 operation