NAHCON Trains Hajj Operators Ahead of 2027 Pilgrimage
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commenced a two-day professional training programme for licensed Hajj and Umrah tour operators to strengthen regulatory compliance, improve operational efficiency and enhance pilgrims’ welfare ahead of the 2027 pilgrimage.
The training, which began on October 26 and runs through October 27, 2026, is taking place in Kano and Lagos under the Professional Certificate Programme in Hajj and Umrah Operations and Pilgrim Service Management. The initiative is organised by the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN), in collaboration with the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) and the Hajj and Umrah Tour Operators Association of Nigeria (HUTON).
Speaking at the opening of the programme, NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, explained that the training was designed to prepare Nigerian operators for emerging changes in global pilgrimage management, particularly reforms introduced under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative.
He disclosed that the commission had secured a three-year phased transition arrangement with Saudi authorities, beginning with 30 per cent private-sector participation in the 2027 Hajj. The arrangement is expected to provide Nigeria with sufficient time to strengthen its regulatory framework and equip licensed operators with the professional capacity required to assume greater responsibilities in pilgrimage management.
The NAHCON chairman urged operators to maintain high professional standards and place pilgrims’ welfare above commercial interests. He also reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to professional certification, digital transformation and effective regulatory oversight to improve the quality of Hajj and Umrah services in Nigeria.
Similarly, the Rector of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria, Professor Muhammad Nasirudeen Maiturare, emphasised the importance of professional training in modern pilgrimage management. He highlighted the need for operators to develop expertise in corporate governance, risk management, operational coordination and international service standards.
The training covers several critical areas, including professional ethics, integrated operations management, lessons from the 2026 Hajj exercise, leadership development, conflict resolution, pilgrims’ welfare and collaboration with Saudi service providers. These areas are intended to improve operators’ ability to manage logistical challenges and deliver reliable services to Nigerian pilgrims.
The institute also highlighted its academic initiatives, including a Master of Business Administration programme in Hajj Operations Management in collaboration with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a National Diploma in Hospitality and Hajj Management developed in partnership with the National Board for Technical Education.
The programme comes as Nigeria prepares for changes in the international Hajj industry, with greater private-sector involvement expected to place additional demands on licensed operators. Effective training and regulatory supervision will therefore be essential to ensuring accountability, operational efficiency and compliance with Nigerian and Saudi Arabian requirements.
NAHCON expressed confidence that the initiative would contribute to building a more professional, competitive and pilgrim-centred Hajj and Umrah industry, while ensuring that the welfare, safety and satisfaction of Nigerian pilgrims remain central to preparations for the 2027 pilgrimage.
