Ahead of the 2025 Hajj, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, (NAHCON) Commissioner Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance (PPMF), Alhaji Aliu Abdulrazaq on Thursday, 5th June 2024, led the first 2025 Hajj virtual preparatory meeting with Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU).
Present at the virtual space meeting were the Commissioner for Operations, Inspectorate and Licensing, Prince Anofi Elegushi, Commissioner for Planning, Research, Statistics and Information and Library Services (PRSILS) Prof Abubakar Yagawal, and other Senior Management Staff of the Commission at Hajj House.
Representatives on the part of Saudi Arabia were drawn from the MOHU, Saudi Immigration Service and the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
In his remarks, Prince Aliu Abdulrazaq commended the MOHU of Saudi Arabia for the successful 2024 Hajj Operations, He revealed that NAHCON had started 2025 Hajj preparations.
During the meeting, Dr. Badr Assulamy, the Director General, Office of the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah who doubles as the Chief Consultant in Charge of Offices of the (world) Pilgrims’ Affairs requested full support of NAHCON to make 2025 Hajj a success. Dr Badr laid out a timeline of activities as build up to the Hajj pleading with the Commission to commit itself to deadlines.
He mentioned early payment of Hajj fares, completion of contractual agreements with service providers, issuing of license to air carriers and other stakeholders must be concluded before issuing of Visa would be possible.
Visa issuance would commence on 19th of February, 2025. NAHCON was encouraged to finish issuing Visas before the deadline date.
Dr. Badr further urged the Commission to exercise patience on issues that occurred in Mina, advising NAHCON to collaborate with service providers to select best location in Mina if the Hajj fares are remitted early.
Among the guidelines for the 2025 Hajj are that all pilgrims should be vaccinated with the stipulated vaccines: yellow fever, covid-19, meningitis etc. Furthermore, it must be indicated during registration if an intending pilgrim suffers other ailments such as Cancer, Diabetes.
The Commissioner PPMF Aliu Abdulrazaq, raised some challenges that pilgrims did face like shortage of toilets in Mina, the meals in Mina, the Commissioner observed were prepared devoid of indigenous taste for the pilgrims.
He also mentioned problems of transportation from Muzdalifa to Mina, issues with tents allocation despite the fact that Nigeria paid for extra space to avoid shortage, among others.
Alhaji Abdulrazaq also drew attention to the harassment some pilgrims faced due to inactive NUSUK identity cards which was no fault of theirs but that of the issuing authorities. Commissioner PPMF therefore called on MOHU to look into these issues to avoid reoccurrence.
Contributing to the discussion, Ms. Rawan Alassaf disclosed that awareness platform created by the Ministry is one of the most important developments for 2025 Hajj.
The platform captures experience of the pilgrims, as well as interactive learning system in Makkah and Madina.
She invited NAHCON to assign a communication officer to liaise with MOFU on developing specific contents to assist the Nigerian pilgrims in performing their Hajj rites. There already exist enlightenment materials translated into sixteen languages which are accessible for distribution in hard copies as well.
Conclusively, the Commissioner PPMF Aliu Abdulrazaq reiterated with the representatives of Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to settle the challenges pilgrims faced in 2024 hajj so that the same will not occur in 2025 Hajj and get value for their money.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s quota remains 95,000 slots with 75 allocated to government quota while 20,000 goes to the private sector.
