NAHCON Trains Stakeholders on Nusuk Masar System for 2025 Hajj

By Abdullahi Yusuf

In a bid to ensure seamless operations for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) organized a two-day training session for State Pilgrims Welfare Boards and private Hajj travel agencies on the workings of the Nusuk Masar system. The training, held at the Hajj House in Abuja, was designed to equip stakeholders with the latest updates and operational requirements of the Saudi Arabian digital platform that facilitates pilgrim management.

The head of the 2025 Hajj Nusuk Masar team at NAHCON, Mallam Ishaq Ibrahim Jahi, provided an extensive breakdown of the system, its evolution, and its significance. Originally introduced as E-TRACin 2015, the system was renamed Nusuk Masar in 2024 and serves as a centralized portal for managing various aspects of Hajj logistics, including pilgrim registration, visa processing, accommodation, transportation, catering, and Mashayir (Hajj rituals) services.

“The platform ensures that all service providers involved in Hajj operations—ranging from accommodation providers and transport companies to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj, security agencies, and airlines have synchronized access to relevant data, making coordination smoother and more efficient,” Mallam Jahi explained.

Highlighting the changes for the 2025 Hajj, Jahi noted that one major shift is the introduction of Service Provider Companies (SPCs). Unlike previous years, where state boards and travel agencies directly engaged with accommodation and catering providers, the new model requires them to route all service requests through designated SPCs.

“This change means that rather than dealing with multiple providers, Hajj operators now work with a single service provider who handles accommodation, transportation, and Mashayir arrangements. While this process may be longer, it centralizes operations and improves accountability,” he said.

Another key development is the requirement for accommodation providers to specify detailed service provisions in their contracts. Previously, landlords only needed to upload details of their buildings and receive payments upon approval. However, under the new guidelines, they must now explicitly outline service commitments, such as room capacity, frequency of cleaning, bed linen changes, and other hospitality services, all of which will be priced and agreed upon before booking.

“This ensures that pilgrims get exactly what they pay for. Simply owning a building is no longer enough; service providers must deliver quality services,” Jahi emphasized.

A major discussion point during the training was the requirement for all pilgrims to have a binding agreement with their service providers. NAHCON has mandated that both government-registered and private tour operators must provide written contracts that clearly outline the rights and responsibilities of all parties. These agreements will specify:

1. The type of accommodation and its standard (e.g., three-star hotel or Grade A building).
2. Number of meals provided daily in Makkah and Madinah.
3. Airline ticket details, baggage allowances, and travel routes.
4. Mashayir arrangements, including duration of stay in Mina and Arafat.

NAHCON has also put in place a dual-layer monitoring system to ensure compliance with these agreements. The Inspectorate and Compliance Division will oversee service delivery in Saudi Arabia, while the Monitoring and Evaluation Division will assess performance and address complaints both in Nigeria and the Kingdom. Additionally, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj will conduct its own independent assessments to ensure adherence to standards.

“We have mechanisms to supervise and monitor service providers, and we are working closely with the Saudi authorities to ensure Nigerian pilgrims get the best experience possible,” Jahi assured.

In an interview granted at the side of the event was a concern for Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) for pilgrims. Speaking on the matter, Prince Anofi Elegushi, NAHCON’s Commissioner for Operations, Inspectorate, and Licensing, addressed concerns regarding the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) decision to process BTA payments exclusively through ATMs.

He emphasized that while the policy was temporarily waived in 2024, the commission has continued to advocate for an exemption, citing the low literacy levels among many Nigerian pilgrims and the limited availability of ATMs in Saudi Arabia.

“Over 70% of our pilgrims are not familiar with ATMs, and the number of machines available in Makkah is inadequate. We have repeatedly engaged the CBN to reconsider this policy and provide an alternative that suits the realities of our pilgrims,” Elegushi stated.

As Nigeria prepares for the 2025 Hajj, the training session provided a crucial knowledge base for state and private operators to navigate the evolving landscape of Hajj operations. With the introduction of Service Provider Companies, stricter accommodation standards, and mandatory pilgrim agreements, NAHCON aims to enhance service delivery, ensure better organization, and protect the interests of Nigerian pilgrims.

While challenges such as CBN’s BTA policy and the adaptation to new Saudi regulations remain, stakeholders expressed optimism that with early preparation and continuous engagement, the 2025 Hajj experience will be smoother and more efficient.

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