The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MoHU) have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking the official commencement of preparations for the 2026 Hajj. This crucial agreement was sealed on Sunday in Jeddah, with significant figures from both nations in attendance. Professor Abdullahi Usman, Chairman of NAHCON, and Abdulfatah Mashat, Saudi Arabia's Vice Minister of Hajj, led the signing ceremony, which was also witnessed by Ahmed Sule from Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Badr Al-Sulami, Special Adviser to the Saudi Vice Minister of Hajj.

According to Ahmed Mua'zu, media assistant to the NAHCON Chairman, the MoU meticulously defines the operational framework for Nigeria's participation in the upcoming Hajj. It outlines critical agreements concerning pilgrim slot allocations, the standards for service contracts, detailed camp bookings, streamlined visa procedures, and comprehensive welfare standards designed to enhance the pilgrims' experience. The discussions encompassed vital aspects such as slot allocation, ensuring efficient service delivery, upholding stringent health standards, and facilitating seamless digital data sharing through the advanced Nusuk platform.

Under the terms of this agreement, both Saudi and Nigerian authorities have expressed a firm commitment to maintaining exceptionally high-quality service standards across all facets of the pilgrimage. This includes ensuring reliable transportation, comfortable accommodation, quality catering services, robust medical support, and meticulous safety logistics for all Nigerian pilgrims. Furthermore, the MoU establishes provisions for joint monitoring mechanisms, rigorous accountability audits, and clear dispute resolution frameworks. These measures are designed to ensure strict compliance with agreed-upon standards and the consistent delivery of services, thereby safeguarding the welfare of pilgrims.

A key outcome of the MoU is the establishment of firm timelines for operational readiness. The agreement mandates that camp booking payments must be completed by 4 January 2026, and the uploading of essential transport and accommodation details via the Nusuk/Masar digital platform must be finalized by 1 February 2026. NAHCON Chairman Abdullahi Usman has repeatedly hailed the signing and subsequent engagements with Saudi authorities as a