By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

About 95,000 Haj slots have been allocated to Nigeria for this year’s Hajj by the

National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). This was confirmed on Monday in a statement by Mousa Ubandawaki, Assistant Director Information and Publications.

The allocation of the 95,000 slots is one of the documents signed during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the 2023 Hajj Monday morning between NAHCON and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The statement said 75,000 will go to the 36 state Pilgrims Welfare Boards /Agency/Commissions including the FCT and Armed forces,while 20,000 is allocated to the Private Tour Operators.

The statement reads: “The much anticipated Memorandum of Understanding for the 2023 Hajj was signed this morning between the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON)and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj at a colourful ceremony held at the Super Dome Centre in Jeddah Saudi Arabia.

“The Minister of state for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubair Dada signed the document on behalf of Nigeria and was witnessed by chairman CEO of NAHCON, Alh. Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, the three executive Commissioners, Alh Nura Hassan Yakassai, Alh. Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa and Sheikh Suleman Mommoh, board members and staff of the commission.

“One of the highlight of the document is the confirmation of 95,000 Haj slot to the country in this year’s Hajj with 75,000 allocated to the 36 state pilgrims welfare boards /Agency/Commissions including the FCT and Armed forces, while 20000 is allocated to the private Tour operators.

“On the side line of the Mou, the delegation met with the Mutawwif of African Non- Arab, whose Chairman Ahmad Sindi, assured the country of its readiness to make the 2023 Hajj better than the previous years. He further disclosed that his agency in a bid to create more rooms and space to pilgrims have adopted the use of double deck bed at the Mashair for some countries this year.

“He, therefore, urged the participating countries to work assiduously to achieve a hitch- free Hajj 2023.”

•PHOTO: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubair Dada, signing the MOU document on behalf of Nigeria. Photo Credit: Office of Assistant Director Information and Publications, NAHCON

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