Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have agreed on key operational arrangements for the 2027 Hajj, with both countries committing to improved coordination and better services for Nigerian pilgrims.
The agreement was reached following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Jeddah by the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, and Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Abdulfattah Bin Sulaiman Mashat.
According to a statement by Shafii Sani Mohammed, NAHCON’s Head of Information and Publications, the agreement establishes guidelines for Nigeria’s participation in the 2027 pilgrimage.
It covers Nigeria’s Hajj quota, compliance with Saudi regulations, operational deadlines, accommodation, transportation, healthcare and other essential services for pilgrims.
The MoU also provides for stronger coordination between the two countries and monitoring of services to safeguard the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims throughout the pilgrimage.
Yusuf commended the Saudi authorities for their continued investment in Hajj infrastructure and improvements in pilgrimage services.
He reaffirmed NAHCON’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with relevant Saudi institutions to improve the overall experience of Nigerian pilgrims.
On his part, Mashat disclosed that Saudi Arabia recorded a 93 per cent pilgrim satisfaction rate during the 2026 Hajj.
He also praised Nigeria for meeting operational deadlines during the previous pilgrimage and urged NAHCON to sustain the performance.
Following the agreement, NAHCON is expected to engage state Muslim pilgrims’ welfare boards, licensed Hajj tour operators and relevant Saudi institutions to ensure effective implementation and early preparations for the 2027 exercise.
