The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, says the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s proposal to migrate 98% of Nigeria’s traditional public Hajj quota to a private tour operator model will be implemented in phases.
NAHCON Chairman, Amb. Ismail Abba Yusuf, disclosed this on Friday while speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said a sudden shift would not be feasible due to Nigeria’s long-established public administration system managed by NAHCON and the State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards.
According to him, the commission has received official communication from Saudi authorities on the new policy, but is proposing a gradual transition because of significant economic and operational risks.
Amb. Yusuf explained that an immediate structural shift would undermine existing Government-to-Government agreements, disrupt current operational arrangements, weaken the statutory role of State Boards, and affect the affordability and orderly management of Hajj for ordinary Nigerian pilgrims.
He added that while Nigeria supports Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation agenda and increased private sector participation in Hajj, such reforms should be done through mutual consultation and a carefully managed transition.
