Nigeria, under the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), had solidified its commitment to a seamless Hajj exercise by signing the 2024 (1445AH) Hajj Memorandum of Understanding with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
According to Fatima Sanda, the Assistant Director of Public Affairs at NAHCON, the signing ceremony held Sunday in Jeddah had in attendance key representatives from Nigeria led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar and Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, Ag. Chairman/CEO of NAHCON.
The host country’s contingent was led by the Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Taufiq Al-Rabiah.
Prior to the MoU signing, the two ministers held a brief discussion where Nigeria requested a lasting solution to the shortage of tents in Mina and pressed for more favourable terms for Nigerian carriers during Hajj airlifts. The Nigerian team also invited the Minister of Hajj and Umrah to visit Nigeria.
In response, the Saudi minister, Dr Rabiah, acknowledged the challenge of space in Mina and assured that efforts are being made to maximize the use of the available two million square meters for the over two million pilgrims performing Hajj annually.
He expressed the ministry’s support for all measures aimed at giving pilgrims the best services. Dr Rabiah accepted to visit Nigeria soon.
Other participants from Nigeria include the Nigerian Consul-General in Jeddah, Amb. Bello Hussaini Kazaure, senior officers from the Nigerian Mission in Saudi Arabia, and NAHCON.
