NAHCON Eyes Halal Investment Fund, Premium Hajj Package for 2027
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has unveiled plans to establish a Halal Investment Fund and introduce a premium Hajj package as part of reforms aimed at improving early planning and enhancing services for Nigerian pilgrims from 2027.
NAHCON Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, disclosed the proposals during an interview on Trust Television, saying the commission was studying successful international Hajj financing models to strengthen Nigeria’s pilgrimage system.
Yusuf identified Malaysia’s Hajj savings scheme as a model worth adapting, noting that prospective pilgrims in the Southeast Asian country make early deposits and often remain on a waiting list for up to 10 years before performing the pilgrimage.
According to him, the arrangement has created a pool of financial resources that enables Malaysian authorities to secure accommodation, transportation and other logistics well ahead of time while ensuring efficient planning.
The NAHCON chairman said the commission intends to establish a Halal Investment Fund within the next one or two years to generate similar benefits for Nigerian pilgrims and reduce dependence on government intervention.
NAHCON Eyes Halal Investment Fund, Premium Hajj Package for 2027
He explained that the proposed fund would support early procurement of Hajj services, improve operational efficiency and allow government to channel more public resources toward critical sectors such as health, education and infrastructure.
Yusuf also announced plans to introduce a premium Hajj package for pilgrims willing to pay more for accommodation closer to the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
He said the option would address complaints about hotel distance while preserving affordable packages for the majority of Nigerian pilgrims, stressing that Hajj remains an act of worship and sacrifice rather than luxury.
The NAHCON chairman noted that all accommodation used for Nigerian pilgrims already meets minimum standards approved by Saudi authorities.
He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to deploying technology, strengthening procurement processes and expanding service options to deliver a more efficient, transparent and pilgrim-centered Hajj experience in the years ahead.
