The Chairman/CEO, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, has asserted that Hajj operations have become increasingly complex and therefore require competent, trained professionals with specialised knowledge, practical skills and a sound understanding of the evolving pilgrimage industry.

The NAHCON boss made the assertion on Friday at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Hajj Operations Management (MBA Hajj Operations Management) with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, at the Hajj House headquarters of the commission in Abuja.

He described the partnership between NAHCON and ABU, Zaria, as a significant milestone in the professionalisation of Hajj and Umrah in Nigeria.

The new programme, according to Yusuf, would combine rigorous academic instruction with practical field experience to improve planning, co-ordination and service delivery for pilgrims.

In his own remarks, the Vice Chancellor of ABU, Professor Adamu Ahmed, said that the programme was a culmination of nearly a decade of sustained discussions and collaboration between the two institutions.

According to him, the programme would integrate high-quality academic training with practical industry experience to equip professionals with the knowledge and competencies required to meet the evolving demands of Hajj and Umrah administration.

Ambassador Yusuf and NAHCON, Dr Mustapha Muhammad Ali, signed the MoU on behalf of the Commission, while Prof Ahmed and the university Registrar, Malam Rabiu Samaila, signed on behalf of the ABU, Zaria.

NAHCON delegation, led by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, included Dr Mustapha, Directors, the Rector of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN), Professor Nasiru Maiturare, and other senior management staff.

At ABU, Zaria, a high-level delegation, led by Prof Ahmed, comprised Director of the ABU Distance Learning Centre, Prof Mohammed Bashir Mu’azu; Registrar, Malam Rabiu Samaila; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Advancement, Research and Innovation), Prof Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi; Director of the CBN Centre for Economics and Finance, Professor Auwalu Haruna, and other senior academic and administrative officers.

The programme, according to NAHCON management, was a joint initiative of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria and the ABU Distance Learning Centre.

The commission informed that it would be open to officials of NAHCON, State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and Commissions, licensed Hajj and Umrah tour operators, professionals in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors, religious scholars, entrepreneurs and graduates seeking careers in pilgrimage management in Nigeria and across the world.

NAHCON management noted that it believes that this pioneering programme will strengthen professional standards, enhance the quality of services provided to pilgrims and position Nigeria as a global centre of excellence in Hajj education, training and research.

The Commission, therefore, encourages suitably qualified Nigerians and other interested applicants to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

It added that, “Further details regarding admission requirements, application procedures and the commencement date will be announced by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in due course.“