Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have signed a memorandum of understanding for the 2027 hajj and providing a framework for pilgrimage operations.
A statement by NAHCON’s head of information and publications, Shafii Sani Mohammed, says the agreement was signed in jeddah by NAHCON Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, and Saudi Arabia’s vice minister of hajj and Umrah, Dr. Abdulfattah Bin Sulaiman Mashat.
The agreement covers the allocation of Nigeria’s hajj quota, compliance with Saudi regulations and operational deadlines, as well as arrangements for accommodation, transportation, healthcare and other logistical services.
It also provides coordination between both countries and monitoring of services to ensure the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.
Ambassador Yusuf commended the Saudi authorities for their investment in hajj infrastructure and improvements in pilgrimage services. He reaffirmed NAHCON’s commitment to working with its Saudi counterparts to improve the experience of Nigerian pilgrims.
Dr. Mashat said Saudi Arabia recorded a ninety-three per cent pilgrim satisfaction rate during the 2026 hajj. He also commended Nigeria for meeting operational timelines and urged the commission to maintain the standard.
NAHCON will now work with state Muslim pilgrims’ welfare boards, licensed hajj tour operators and relevant Saudi institutions to implement the agreement and ensure timely preparations for the 2027 pilgrimage.