110 tour operators qualified to partake in 2024 Hajj operations in Nigeria – Commission

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has approved a total of 110 Private Tour Operators’ companies for the issuance of 2024 Hajj licenses and slots allocation.

The development resulted from the thorough screening of the respective companies after meeting the requirements for the next year’s Hajj license, according to Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director Public Affairs, NAHCON, in a statement sent to The DEFENDER from Hajj House Abuja on Friday.

Part of documents required for eligibility include certificate of registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, International Air Transport Association (IATA) certificate, IATA accredited staff and principal officers with no record of criminal conviction, presentation of evidence of owning N30,000,000 minimum share capital, possession of standard corporate office, evidence of having operated eight years of Umrah successfully or two years of Hajj operations.

A N25,000,000 refundable security deposit must also be submitted, the statement added, saying “Purpose of this is to protect the interest of the registered pilgrims in case of contract violation or other infringements.”

The NAHCON director stated the procedure leading to the selection for the approval, recalling advertisement in major Nigerian newspapers inviting interested companies to submit applications for 2024 Hajj license was made on 29th September 2023.

“A total of 155 companies applied. Out of this number, 58 companies were initially successful while 97 companies were disqualified but given room for appeal. 80 companies appealed and out of this number 52 companies met the criteria for qualification making a total of 110 private operator companies that resultantly qualified.

“For the full list, please go to the NAHCON website on https://nahcon.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/COMPANIES-APPROVED-FOR-2024-HAJJ-SLOT.pdf.

“Kindly note that the Commission is holding further discussions with Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah over the Ministry’s earlier policy to prune down number of Tour Operators that will participate in the 2024 Hajj operation from Nigeria and other parts of the world,” the statement said.