Saudi Arabia has retained the 95,000 Hajj slots allocated to Nigeria for the 2025 pilgrimage, urging the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to adhere to the preparation timeline.
This was confirmed during a virtual meeting between NAHCON and Saudi officials.
Of the 95,000 slots, 75,000 are designated for states and the FCT, while 20,000 go to the private sector.
NAHCON’s Prince Aliu Abdulrazaq raised concerns about issues Nigerian pilgrims faced in 2024, including transportation, tent shortages, and inactive identity cards.
In response, Saudi officials assured NAHCON of improvements and emphasized timely completion of payments, contracts, and visa processing, with visa issuance set to begin on February 19, 2025.
The Saudi side also highlighted the importance of vaccinations and health disclosures for pilgrims.
Additionally, a new awareness platform will assist pilgrims with Hajj rites, offering educational content in multiple languages, including 16 already available for distribution.
