The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that Nigeria’s Hajj allocation for 2027 has increased to 60,000 pilgrims following diplomatic engagements with Saudi Arabian authorities.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, disclosed this while declaring open a professional certificate programme for NAHCON-licensed Hajj and Umrah tour operators in Kano and Lagos on Monday.
Yusuf, who was represented by Sheikh Bin Usman, NAHCON’s Commissioner representing Northwest, said the increase followed the securing of an additional 10,000 pilgrimage slots, describing the development as an opportunity for Nigerian operators to demonstrate their capacity to deliver quality services under the evolving Hajj management system.
He said the programme, organised by the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN) in collaboration with the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) and the Hajj and Umrah Tour Operators Association of Nigeria (HUTON), was designed to strengthen professionalism, regulatory compliance and pilgrims’ satisfaction.
“The future of Nigeria’s Hajj industry will depend increasingly on the professionalism, competence and integrity of its operators,” Yusuf said.
He explained that Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reforms were transforming the global Hajj industry, particularly through the introduction of a business-to-business (B2B) model that envisages transferring responsibility for managing up to 98 per cent of pilgrims to private tour operators.
According to him, NAHCON engaged Saudi authorities to secure a three-year phased transition for Nigeria, beginning with 30 per cent private-sector participation in 2027.
“This provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen our regulatory institutions while preparing Nigerian tour operators for greater responsibilities,” he said.
The NAHCON chairman cautioned that the growing involvement of private operators should not be viewed solely as an expansion of business opportunities but also as an increase in accountability and service expectations.
“Let me emphasise that increased private-sector participation is not merely an expansion of business opportunities. It is an expansion of responsibility, accountability and expectations,” he stated.
Yusuf also called for unity and stronger collaboration among tour operators and their associations, warning that divisions, unhealthy rivalry and conflicting interests could undermine the industry’s preparations for the new arrangements.
He said operators must maintain healthy competition while placing professional standards, regulatory compliance and pilgrims’ welfare above individual commercial interests.
“Our strength lies not merely in the capacity of individual operators, but in our collective ability to move in one direction towards a common goal,” he added.
The chairman recalled that NAHCON’s stakeholders’ summit in July outlined a reform agenda focused on early planning, digital transformation, professional certification, financial transparency and measurable service standards.
He said these priorities would remain central to preparations for the 2027 Hajj and beyond.
With seven approved lead tour operator companies participating in the new arrangements, Yusuf urged the private sector to demonstrate that it could meet the expectations placed on it.
“My message to our tour operators is straightforward: professional competence must replace improvisation; transparency must replace uncertainty; and the welfare of pilgrims must remain above commercial considerations,” he said.
He further reminded operators that pilgrims should not be treated merely as customers, stressing that their spiritual aspirations, safety and financial resources must be protected.
“Pilgrims are not merely customers. They are the Guests of Allah, who entrust their resources, safety and spiritual aspirations to our care,” Yusuf said.
He urged participants to ensure that contractual commitments translated into quality services, effective coordination and dignified treatment throughout the pilgrimage.
Yusuf assured stakeholders that NAHCON would continue supporting professional development through HIN, partnerships with Saudi institutions and stronger regulatory oversight.
He also acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who is also the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
Earlier, the Rector of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria, Professor Muhammad Nasirudeen Maiturare, said professional training had become essential as Hajj and Umrah operations evolved into a specialised industry requiring technical competence, effective coordination and high standards of service delivery.
Maiturare said the reforms introduced by Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030 presented significant opportunities for Nigerian operators but also required them to improve their competitiveness, corporate governance and service quality.
“These developments present significant opportunities for Nigerian tour operators, but also demand higher standards of professionalism, competitiveness, corporate governance and service quality,” he said.
He added that operators needed the necessary skills to negotiate effectively with Saudi service providers, manage operational and financial risks, and deliver services that meet international standards.
The rector explained that NAHCON established HIN to promote professional development and build the capacity of stakeholders in the Hajj and Umrah industry.
He disclosed that the commission, through the institute, was also facilitating two academic programmes: an MBA in Hajj Operations Management in collaboration with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a National Diploma in Hospitality and Hajj Management in partnership with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
According to him, the initiatives are aimed at developing a sustainable pool of qualified professionals and future leaders for Nigeria’s pilgrimage industry.
Maiturare said the certificate programme would equip participants with skills in professional ethics, integrated operations management, teamwork and pilgrim-centred service delivery.
He added that the training would also provide an opportunity to review challenges encountered during the 2026 Hajj and draw lessons for improving performance in 2027.
The rector urged participants to regard the programme as an investment in their organisations and, more importantly, in the welfare and satisfaction of pilgrims.
He said the institute’s long-term ambition was to build a professionally competent Nigerian Hajj and Umrah industry characterised by operational excellence and effective collaboration among stakeholders.
As preparations for the 2027 pilgrimage gather momentum, NAHCON said the focus would be on building an industry capable of meeting international standards while ensuring that Nigerian pilgrims receive safe, reliable and dignified services.
