NAHCON Secures Three-Year Transition from Saudi B2B Hajj Model
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has secured a three-year transition window for Nigeria to gradually adopt Saudi Arabia’s new Business-to-Business (B2B) model for Hajj operations.
NAHCON North East Commissioner, Alhaji Abba Kato Jato, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, where the commission briefed the state government on major policy changes introduced by Saudi authorities for the 2027 Hajj.
Jato said the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah initially proposed moving 98 per cent of Nigeria’s Hajj quota to the private tour operators-based B2B model from 2027.
He said NAHCON rejected the immediate implementation of the proposal, arguing that such a drastic shift could disrupt Nigeria’s existing financial and administrative structures and make Hajj more expensive for ordinary Nigerian pilgrims.
“Through intense negotiation, we secured a critical concession. Only 30 per cent of our quota will move to the new model in 2027,” Jato said.
NAHCON Secures Three-Year Transition from Saudi B2B Hajj Model
According to him, the concession gives Nigeria three years to prepare for a full transition while allowing stakeholders to adjust their systems to the emerging Saudi framework.
The commissioner also highlighted other mandatory requirements ahead of the 2027 pilgrimage, including the September 26, 2026 deadline for uploading complete pilgrim registration data, with no extension expected from the Saudi authorities.
He said compliance with Saudi health regulations would also remain mandatory, including medical fitness certification for pilgrims.
Jato said Saudi authorities would not permit pilgrims with certain serious medical conditions, including major organ failure, severe neurological or psychiatric conditions, pregnancy and active infectious diseases.
Responding, Kadafur said Borno would give registration, documentation and payment processes the highest priority to ensure the state meets the deadlines.
He said Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s administration would support efforts to make Borno a model for implementing the new Hajj framework.
Kadafur said the state would work to ensure that no pilgrim is left behind as Nigeria begins the transition to the new Saudi system.
