Adedokun Waliyu 
Nigeria enjoyed 95,000 slots before the COVID-19 pandemic which drastically reduced the country’s allocation to about 45,000 slots during the 2022 exercise.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has restored 95,000 Hajj slots to Nigeria ahead of the 2023 Holy pilgrimage.
Nigeria enjoyed 95,000 slots before the COVID-19 pandemic which drastically reduced the country’s allocation to about 45,000 slots during the 2022 exercise.
The Assistant Director of Information and Publications of NAHCON, Mousa Ubandawaki, who made the announcement on Wednesday in Abuja said, “The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has granted Nigeria its usual allocation of 95,000 slots in 2023 holy pilgrimage.
“The hopes of many prospective Nigeria pilgrims to perform the 2023 Hajj may have been answered as the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has approved the pre-COVID-19 allocation NAHCON.
“The good news was announced by Bahauddeen Alwani, the Director-General in charge of Hajj Missions at the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, during a preparatory meeting for hajj via a video conference with the Chairman of NAHCON, Malam Zukrullah Hassan.
“Other guidelines released for the 2023 Hajj by the Ministry included the removal of age barrier or limit and cancellation of PCR Test for the Hajj.”
Ubandawaki further said that the Saudi Hajj Ministry had also granted NAHCON the right of choice of package for pilgrims’ services from the Mutawwiffs of African Non-Arab countries.
He said, “In addition, the Ministry also stated that henceforth, any payment to service providers must be through the e-track or e-wallet platforms as the Kingdom will not take responsibility for payment outside the two platforms.”
