The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has said that 50,000 Nigerian intending pilgrims will perform the 2024 hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Executive Chairman of NAHCON, Jalal Arabi, disclosed this at a news conference held at Hajj House on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Arabi said the commission was on course in conducting a successful hajj operation no matter the challenges.

He reiterated that Nigerian Muslims would perform the 2024 hajj in a number that nobody had ever imagined.

He stated, “This year’s hajj preparation is one of the most difficult and peculiar ones. You know in the past, we had the luxury of time to prepare at our own pace; But, this time round, the host which is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia came up with the timeline that we have to work with.’’

Mr Arabi said that the Federal Government had intervened in many ways, especially with policies to support the commission to ensure that things did not go wrong.

“I made bold to say that there were a series of interventions that the government made in terms of policies to ensure that there is no unnecessary tension in the nation. Government has a responsibility to keep the nation one, devoid of chaos and rancour,” he said

Mr Arabi noted that, going forward, Hajj Savings Scheme would be the surest method to adopt.

He assured that the commission would embark on adequate sensitisation and enlightenment to make sure that intending pilgrims key into it.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah allocated 95,000 Hajj slots to Nigeria for the 2024 pilgrimage. 

(NAN)