The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has stated that it will not reconsider the N250 million statement of account for three years it requested from Hajj Tour Operators as a condition for allocation of pilgrims. This was disclosed by NAHCON's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, during a media interface in Abuja regarding the 2027 Hajj exercise. Yusuf emphasized that the need to ensure tour operators have sufficient financial capacity prompted the change from N40 million to N250 million.
The change in bank guarantee was made to align with the responsibility of tour operators, who handle large sums of money for pilgrimages. Yusuf explained that with 100 pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia, the cost is around N1 billion, while the previous guarantee was only N40 million. He stressed that if tour operators encounter issues with pilgrims, the N40 million would be insufficient to address the problems. Therefore, NAHCON increased the guarantee to N250 million.
Yusuf also mentioned that NAHCON is working with states to establish a digital interface, as only a few Nigerian tour operators have the required capacity to upload pilgrim data to the NUSUK platform. Most tour operators still rely on the commission for this process. Additionally, Yusuf clarified that due to international anti-money laundering regulations, all funds remitted to pilgrims must pass through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The CBN's role in remittances for Hajj is crucial, and Yusuf noted that the bank will not facilitate remittances for private entities when other manufacturers, such as those producing matches, require foreign exchange for raw materials. Yusuf described the current situation as a preparation phase, rather than resistance, as tour operators need time to adjust to the new requirements.
NAHCON is consulting with tour operators, and Yusuf stated that the majority understand the commission's position. The tour operators had requested a 30% allocation, and Yusuf indicated that NAHCON will assess their readiness before agreeing with the Saudis to increase the allocation threshold. The commission aims to support tour operators and ensure they comply with the new regulations.
Yusuf provided an overview of Saudi Arabia's 2026 Hajj policy reforms, which include a September 26, 2026 deadline for uploading pilgrims' data. He confirmed that the federal government has agreed to maintain Nigeria's 50,000 quota for Hajj. The Nigerian government has pledged its full support for compliance with the Saudi reforms, emphasizing the importance of maintaining diplomatic credibility and prestige.
NAHCON is working diligently to ensure Nigeria's compliance with the Saudi reforms. Yusuf reiterated that the commission is committed to helping tour operators prepare for the new regulations. The commission's efforts aim to ensure a smooth and successful Hajj exercise in 2027.
Key points
- NAHCON requires a N250 million bank statement from Hajj tour operators as a condition for allocation of pilgrims.
- The commission is working with states to establish a digital interface for uploading pilgrim data to the NUSUK platform.
- The federal government has agreed to maintain Nigeria's 50,000 quota for Hajj.
