National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with four financial institutions.
The banks will strengthen the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) and enhance early planning for intending pilgrims.
The NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, said the HSS offers a structured pathway for Nigerians to prepare ahead of time for Hajj.
He noted that while interest in the scheme is growing, inadequate awareness remains a barrier, noting that NAHCON and the partner banks will intensify sensitization through the Ulama, traditional institutions and digital media.
Commissioner for Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance, Prince Abdulrazaq Aliu, said the selected banks have demonstrated strong capacity to deliver on the mandate, stressing the need for periodic performance reviews to assess progress.
The Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, described the scheme as the lifeline of Nigeria’s Hajj operations in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, expressing confidence that the HSS will provide a readily registered pool of pilgrims in future.
In his remarks, Commissioner of Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services, Professor Abubakar Yagawal, said the renewed drive around the HSS has addressed 99.9 percent of Nigeria’s Hajj challenges, projecting that the country will soon operate at par with nations like Indonesia.
The Head of the Hajj Savings Scheme at the Commission, Hajia Wasiyya Saleh expressed optimism that the partnership would widen access and attract more intending pilgrims across the country.
She explained that each participating bank has developed its own strategic plan to target prospective pilgrims, noting that the diversity of approaches would help the scheme reach more households and communities.
Representatives from all four institutions were present at the signing ceremony, Managing Director of one of the Bank, Dr. Haruna Musa, who spoke on behalf of the other banks, pledged commitment to the success of the scheme.
The Hajj Savings Scheme is designed to help Muslims save gradually towards performing the annual pilgrimage, while promoting transparency and reducing last-minute financial pressure on intending pilgrim
RN
