NAHCON, Four Banks Seal Fresh Pact to Boost Hajj Savings Scheme

By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Monday signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with four Islamic financial institutions as part of efforts to strengthen the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) and modernise Nigeria’s Hajj management system.

The agreement, signed at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, brings together The Alternative Bank, Jaiz Bank, Lotus Bank and TAJ Bank in a renewed collaboration aimed at improving planning, transparency and long-term financial sustainability for intending pilgrims.

Under the pact, the participating banks are expected to deploy user-friendly digital registration portals, manage pilgrims’ deposits in line with Islamic finance principles and implement detailed operational plans that will ensure accountability across board.

NAHCON Chairman, Prof Abdullahi Saleh Usman, said the HSS remains one of the most reliable avenues for Muslims to prepare for Hajj without undue financial strain. He, however, noted that public awareness of the scheme remains inadequate.

“We are working with our partner banks to deepen sensitisation through the Ulama, traditional institutions and digital platforms. Many Muslims want to save for Hajj, but they need to understand how the scheme works,” he said.

The Commissioner for Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance, Prince Abdulrazaq Aliu, explained that the four banks were chosen based on capacity and track record. He stressed the need for periodic reviews to ensure that each partner meets set targets.

Also speaking, the Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, said Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 demands a more dynamic and technology-driven Hajj system. He described the HSS as the “lifeline” of future Hajj operations, insisting that Nigeria must always have pre-registered pilgrims ready when required.

For his part, the Commissioner of Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services, Prof Abubakar Yagawal, expressed strong optimism, saying the revamped scheme had already solved “99.9 percent” of the country’s Hajj planning challenges.

By virtue of the MoU, the banks can now activate their respective digital platforms for enrollment and invest pilgrims’ contributions in halal-certified ventures. INCNews247 gathered that prototypes of the portals had earlier been demonstrated to the Commission.

Representatives of the financial institutions at the signing ceremony included Malam Garba Mohammed and Mohammed Abdul (The Alternative Bank); Dr Haruna Musa and Alhassan Abdulkareem (Jaiz Bank); Akin Adekoke (Lotus Bank); and Alhaji Hameed Joda (TAJ Bank).

Speaking on behalf of the banks, Dr Musa reaffirmed their commitment to the success of the initiative, adding that both technology and traditional community engagement would be deployed to deepen public awareness and participation.