By Jelili Gbadamosi
Nigeria will send up to 60,000 pilgrims to the 2027 Hajj after Saudi Arabia approved an additional 10,000 slots for the country.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) disclosed this in a statement signed by its Head of Information and Publications, Shafii Sani Mohammed.
The additional slots were secured following continued engagements between the Nigerian Government and Saudi Arabian authorities over the country’s Hajj allocation.
According to NAHCON, 7,500 of the newly approved slots will be allocated to state Muslim pilgrims’ welfare boards, agencies and commissions.
The remaining 2,500 slots will be shared among seven approved lead tour operators.
The latest approval raises Nigeria’s 2027 Hajj quota from the initial 50,000 pilgrims to 60,000.
Commenting on the development, NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, said the increase demonstrated the cooperation between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia in facilitating the annual pilgrimage.
Yusuf assured that the Commission would ensure a fair distribution of the additional slots while complying with the laws and operational requirements governing Hajj arrangements in both countries.
He added that state pilgrims’ agencies and licensed private tour operators would participate in the implementation of the new allocation.
