2023 Hajj: Nigeria To Get 90,000 Slots As Saudi Removes COVID-19 Barriers

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced that it will restore the number of slot given to Nigeria before COVID-19.

Recall that the holy pilgrimage to the city of Mecca and Medina was suspended to international travellers in 2020 and 2021 while that of 2022 was reduced by half.

This led Nigeria getting half (45,000) of its previously allocated slot of 90,000.

The Assistant Director, Information and Publications of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Mousa Ubandawaki, in a statement on Wednesday, stated that the position was made known by the Director General in charge of Saudi Arabia’s Hajj Missions at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Bahauddeen bin Yusuf Alwani.

Bahauddeen during a preparatory meeting for the 2023 Hajj via a video conference with the Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Alhaji Zukrullah Kunle Hassan added that guidelines released for the 2023 Hajj by the Ministry included the removal of age barrier or limit and cancellation of PCR test.

The statement read, “The ministry has also granted the commission the right of choice of package for pilgrims services from the Mutawwiffs of African Non-Arab countries, the company responsible for the tent, feeding and transportation arrangements at the Mashair.

“In addition, the Ministry also stated that henceforth any payment to service providers must be through the e-track or e-wallet platforms as the Kingdom will not take responsibilities for payment outside the two platforms.”

He added that agreement on accommodation would be concluded by February 10 and others by January 24.