By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

Visa issuance for Hajj 2025 is to commence on February 19, 2025, Nigeria’s quota remains 95,000 slots with 75 allocated to government quota while 20,000 goes to the private sector.

These are part of the resolutions met with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Commissioner Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance (PPMF), Alhaji Aliu Abdulrazaq who led the first 2025 Hajj virtual preparatory meeting with Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU).

Present at the virtual space meeting held on the Thursday September 5th, 2024, were the Commissioner for Operations, Inspectorate and Licensing, Prince Anofi Elegushi, Commissioner for Planning, Research, Statistics and Information and Library Services (PRSILS) Prof Abubakar Yagawal, and other Senior Management Staff of the Commission at Hajj House.

Representatives on the part of Saudi Arabia were drawn from the MOHU, Saudi Immigration Service and the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).

NAHCON was encouraged to finish issuing Visas before the deadline date.

In his remarks, the Commissioner PPMF raised some challenges that pilgrims face in the just concluded 2024 like shortage of toilets in Mina, the meals in Mina, the Commissioner observed were prepared devoid of indigenous taste for the pilgrims.

The commissioner also mentioned problems of transportation from Muzdalifa to Mina, issues with tents allocation despite the fact that Nigeria paid for extra space to avoid shortage, etc.

He also drew attention to the harassment some pilgrims faced due to inactive NUSUK identity cards which was no fault of theirs but that of the issuing authorities.

He therefore called on MOHU to look into all these issues to avoid reoccurrence.

While commending the MOHU of Saudi Arabian for the successful 2024 Hajj Operations Abdulrazaq revealed that NAHCON had started 2025 Hajj preparations.

Dr. Badr Assulamy, the Director General, Office of the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah who doubles as the Chief Consultant in Charge of Offices of the world Pilgrims’ Affairs requested full support of NAHCON to make 2025 Hajj a success.

Dr Assulamy laid out a timeline of activities as build up to the Hajj pleading with the Commission to commit itself to deadlines.

He mentioned early payment of Hajj fares, completion of contractual agreements with service providers, issuing of license to air carriers and other stakeholders must be concluded before issuing of Visa would be possible.

Dr. Badr further urged the Commission to exercise patience on issues that occurred in Mina, advising NAHCON to collaborate with service providers to select best location in Mina if the Hajj fares are remitted early.

Among the guidelines for the 2025 Hajj are that all pilgrims should be vaccinated with the stipulated vaccines: yellow fever, Covid-19, meningitis, etc.

Update news