Key Highlights of Hajj 2025 Preparations:
- NAHCON collaborating with state boards for seamless operations.
- First outbound flight scheduled for May 9th.
- Accommodation, feeding, and transportation secured for over 40,000 pilgrims.
- Cash-based Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) approved for pilgrims.
- VIP Tent A accommodation secured for premium services.
NAHCON & State Boards Team Up for Hajj Success
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is working closely with state pilgrim welfare boards and other key players to ensure everything runs smoothly for the 2025 Hajj season. With the first flight to Saudi Arabia scheduled for May 9th, officials are confident that the groundwork has been laid for a well-organized pilgrimage.
VP Shettima Urges Seamless Hajj Experience
During a recent meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima, NAHCON’s leadership expressed confidence in their readiness. Prince Anofi Elegushi, Commissioner in charge of Operations, Inspectorate, and Licensing, assured that accommodation, feeding, and transportation arrangements were finalized for over 40,000 pilgrims, including those from state boards and private tour operators.
“We have all of our accommodation intact in Makkah, Medina, and other locations. Enough bed spaces have been secured, and feeding plans have been fully paid for,” Elegushi stated. He also announced that outbound flights would run from May 9th to May 24th, with return flights between June 13th and July 2nd, 2025.
Vice President Shettima emphasized the importance of delivering a successful Hajj experience. “We owe it to all Nigerians and our pilgrims to ensure a smooth and spiritually fulfilling experience,” he said.
Visa Processing, Vaccinations, and Logistics Finalized
A strategic meeting between NAHCON and the Forum of Executive Secretaries of State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards in Abuja highlighted the need for final preparations, particularly in visa processing, vaccinations, and logistics. Four airlines – Air Peace, FlyNas, Max Air, and Umza Air – will handle the airlift of the country’s 43,000 pilgrims, with specific states assigned to each airline.
Clinic arrangements have been made in both Makkah and Medina, and yellow cards have been distributed across states. It’s important to note that pregnant women have been advised not to register for the Hajj.
VIP Tent A Accommodation Secured
For pilgrims seeking premium services, NAHCON has arranged VIP Tent A accommodation through Rawaf Mina Service Providers. This new five-story facility, located just meters from the Jamrat, offers 2,800 VIP bed spaces. Tour operators who previously registered pilgrims under Tent D must pay upgrade fees to secure slots in Tent A. Production of NUSUK access cards will begin once registrations are finalized.
Cash-Based BTA Approved for Pilgrims
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved cash-based Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) for Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2025 Hajj, following concerns over the proposed use of debit cards. This decision came after Vice President Kashim Shettima’s intervention, appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through NAHCON.
NAHCON’s Commissioner for Policy, Personnel Management, and Finance, Aliu Abdulrazaq, explained that limited ATM access in key pilgrimage sites and the limited knowledge of electronic transactions among pilgrims made cash transactions necessary.
Dr. Mustapha Muhammad Ali, NAHCON’s Secretary, clarified that this decision is not a concession or subsidy but a measure to support pilgrims in local markets where debit cards are not accepted. The CBN will provide the cash at the prevailing market rate.
Focus on Sustainable Hajj Financing
Efforts to improve the financial framework of Hajj operations are underway, with NAHCON and the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN) hosting the second edition of the National Hajj Stakeholders Summit on April 30th in Abuja. The summit, themed “Sustainable Hajj Financing: Developing a Resilient Model for Nigerian Pilgrims and Operators,” will explore innovative models to strengthen financial accountability, risk management, and digital transformation in Hajj administration.
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