The Federal Government of Nigeria has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia, aiming to enhance the smooth execution of the Hajj pilgrimage in 2024. The signing ceremony took place in Jeddah on Sunday, witnessed by Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, and the acting Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of NIG (NAHCON), Jalal Arabi.
The agreement comes in response to the challenges faced by NIG pilgrims during the 2023 Hajj, including insufficient tent accommodation, substandard living conditions, and transportation issues. The House of Representatives had previously ordered a probe into these matters and mandated the Committee on Pilgrims Affairs to investigate the anomalies.
In a statement released by NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Usara, it was disclosed that the signing ceremony solidified Nigeria’s commitment to a seamless Hajj exercise in 2024. The NIG delegation, led by Minister Yusuf Tuggar and NAHCON’s Jalal Arabi, engaged in discussions with their Saudi counterparts, led by the Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Taufiq Al-Rabiah.
Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar reportedly addressed concerns about the shortage of tents in Mina and advocated for more favorable terms for Nigerian carriers during Hajj airlifts. The Nigerian team also extended an invitation to the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah to visit NIG .
In response, Minister Al-Rabiah acknowledged the challenges faced and assured the Nigerian authorities that efforts were being made to maximize the use of available space in Mina for the two million pilgrims annually. He expressed support for measures to enhance services for pilgrims and agreed to visit NIG soon.
The signing of the MoU marks a significant step towards addressing previous issues and ensuring a more organized and satisfactory Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims in 2024.