Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama-Tuggar, officially ratified the agreement for the 2024 Hajj operations between the Nigerian government and Saudi Arabia. The signing ceremony took place on Sunday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, according to a statement released by Alkasim Abdulkadir, the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategic Communications.
During a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Taofiq bin Fawzan AlRabiah, Ambassador Tuggar emphasized that the upcoming Hajj operations would be guided by a new culture of precision. This commitment aims to ensure that pre-Hajj, Hajj, and Umrah activities are executed punctually and efficiently.
The discussions during the bilateral meeting covered various aspects of the Hajj operations, including the airlifting of pilgrims, the involvement of Nigerian government-endorsed airlines, arrangements for Hajj accommodations, and the provision of meals for pilgrims.
Ambassador Tuggar highlighted the ongoing efforts to enhance services for Hajj and Umrah on both sides. He acknowledged Nigeria’s significant contribution, ranking as the 4th largest provider of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and the 5th largest for Umrah.
Expressing satisfaction with the preparations made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2023 Hajj operations, Mr. Tuggar noted the improvements aimed at ensuring the safety and comfort of Nigerian pilgrims.
In response, Minister AlRabiah assured the Nigerian delegation that Saudi authorities would review all the issues raised during the meeting. He pledged the full cooperation of Saudi Hajj authorities to work closely with Nigerian authorities, ensuring a seamless and successful 2024 Hajj and Umrah operation.
The ratification of the Hajj 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) occurred on the sidelines of the 3rd Edition of the Hajj and Umrah Conference and Exhibition. Ambassador Tuggar took the opportunity to formally invite the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah to visit Nigeria.
The Nigerian delegation to this historic event included officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), featuring the commission’s Chairman/CEO, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, Nigeria’s acting Ambassador in Saudi Arabia Amb. Mahmud Lele, and Consul General in Jeddah, Ambassador Bello Hussaini Kazaure.
