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The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has launched a two-day professional training program for authorized Hajj and Umrah tour operators in Kano and Lagos to strengthen regulatory compliance, operational efficiency and delivery of pilgrimage services ahead of the 2027 Hajj.
In a press release signed yesterday by Shafii Sani Mohammed, Head of Information and Publications Division, NAHCON said; the programme, which will take place from 26 to 27 October 2026, is organized by the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN) in collaboration with the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) and the Association of Hajj and Umrah Tour Operators of Nigeria (HUTON).
Declaring the program open, NAHCON President and CEO, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, said the initiative will prepare Nigerian operators for changes in the global Hajj industry resulting from Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reforms and the emerging business-to-business (B2B) model, which seeks to shift greater responsibility for Hajj operations to the private sector.
He revealed that the Commission has secured a three-year phased transition agreement with the Saudi authorities, starting with a 30% private sector participation in 2027. The agreement, he said, would provide time to strengthen Nigeria’s regulatory framework and prepare operators for their growing responsibilities.
Ambassador Yusuf urged tourism operators to maintain high professional standards, stressing that the well-being of pilgrims must take precedence over commercial interests. It also reaffirmed NAHCON’s commitment to professional certification, digital transformation and effective regulatory oversight.
HIN Rector Professor Muhammad Nasirudeen Maiturare described professional training as essential for modern pilgrimage management, stressing that operators need skills in corporate governance, risk management, operational coordination and international service standards.
He highlighted the institute’s academic programmes, including an MBA in Hajj Operations Management in collaboration with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a National Diploma in Hajj Hospitality and Management developed in collaboration with the National Council for Technical Education.
The training includes sessions on professional ethics, integrated operations management, lessons from the 2026 Hajj, leadership, conflict resolution, pilgrim welfare and collaboration with Saudi service providers.
The initiative is expected to improve practitioners’ preparedness for the 2027 Hajj and support NAHCON’s efforts to develop a professional, competitive and pilgrim-centric Hajj and Umrah industry in Nigeria.
