NAHCON, Saudi Arabia sign 2027 Hajj agreement, begin preparations for pilgrimage
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah have signed an agreement outlining arrangements for Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2027 Hajj.
The agreement, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), was signed on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the Super Dome in Jeddah.
NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, signed on behalf of Nigeria, while Saudi Arabia was represented by its Vice Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman Mashat.
The agreement provides a framework for Nigeria’s participation in the annual pilgrimage, covering the allocation of Hajj slots, compliance with Saudi regulations, operational deadlines and arrangements for accommodation, transportation and healthcare.
It also provides for closer cooperation between both countries to address logistical challenges, monitor service delivery and protect the welfare of pilgrims.
Speaking at the ceremony, Yusuf commended the Saudi government for its continued investment in pilgrimage infrastructure and improvements in Hajj arrangements.
He reaffirmed NAHCON’s commitment to strengthening institutional collaboration with Saudi authorities, saying Nigeria would work towards matching the improvements recorded by the Kingdom with better services for its pilgrims.
In his remarks, Mashat disclosed that Saudi Arabia recorded a 93 per cent pilgrim satisfaction rate during the 2026 Hajj, commending Nigeria for contributing to the achievement.
He also praised Nigeria for meeting established timelines for the 2027 pilgrimage arrangements and urged NAHCON to sustain the record.
