Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s contingent of pilgrims and officials to perform this year’s Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia. This announcement was made by Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), during a radio program on Freedom Radio Kaduna’s Hausa program, Barka Da Warhaka.
Shettima will embark on this spiritual exercise as a Muslim and personally oversee Nigeria’s participation to assess the handling of the religious rite. According to Usman, the Vice President prefers hands-on involvement rather than relying on third-party information.
“This could help guard against being misinformed, especially by those who see nothing good in anyone but themselves, a situation that has given Hajj operations in Nigeria negative narratives year in, year out,” Usman stated.
The NAHCON has made arrangements for a smooth pilgrimage, allocating spaces for over 70,000 pilgrims out of the 95,000 slots allocated to Nigeria by Saudi Arabia. Usman expressed satisfaction with the commission’s success in curbing the annual rise in Hajj costs, but noted that more relief is expected for intending pilgrims regarding certain charges and taxes.
Although the payment deadline has passed, payments are still being accepted, but Usman declined to specify a final payment date. Saudi Arabian authorities have introduced new dual health measures for pilgrims, requiring participating countries to choose one of two options.
Nigeria has opted for the second option, which involves service providers playing a supervisory role.
Usman advised state pilgrims’ welfare boards to adhere strictly to Saudi health guidelines to ensure only healthy individuals embark on the pilgrimage. He expressed optimism about the Hajj Saving Scheme, which he believes will simplify Hajj affairs in Nigeria if handled diligently.
The scheme will be opened to more banks that follow Islamic guidelines on banking and investments.