The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON, has signed the much anticipated Memorandum of understanding with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2023 Hajj.
The signing of the MoU took place today 9th January 2023 with the ministry of Saudi Arabia in Jeddah.
A statement issued by the Assistant Director Information and Publication of the commission, Alh. Mousa Ubandawaki, revealed that the highlight of the MoU was the issuance of 95,000 slot to Nigeria with 75,000 slots allocated to the 36 states including the FCT, others are Agencies, Commissions and the armed forces.
The remaining 20,000 slots went to the tour operators.
The statements reads:
“The much anticipated Memorandum of Understanding for the 2023 Hajj was signed this morning between the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON)and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj at a colourful ceremony held at the Super Dome Centre in Jeddah Saudi Arabia”.
“The Minister of state for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubair Dada signed the document on behalf of Nigeria and was witnessed by chairman CEO of NAHCON ,Alh. Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, the three executive Commissioners,Alh Nura Hassan Yakassai, Alh.Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa and Sheikh Suleman Mommoh, board members and staff of the commission”.
“One of the highlight of the document is the confirmation of 95000 Haj slot to the country in this year’s Hajj with 75,000 allocated to the 36 state pilgrims welfare boards /Agency/Commissions including the FCT and Armed forces,while 20000 is allocated to the private Tour operators”.
“On the side line of the Mou ,the delegation met with the Mutawwif of African Non- Arab,whose Chairman Ahmad Sindi,assured the country of its readiness to make the 2023 Hajj better than the previous years”.
“He further disclosed that his agency in a bid to create more rooms and space to pilgrims have adopted the use of double deck bed at the Mashair for some countries this year”.
“He therefore urged the participating countries to work assiduously to achieve a hitch- free Hajj 2023” .