The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with four financial institutions to boost the operation and reach of the Hajj Savings Scheme. The participating banks, Alternative Bank, Jaiz Bank, Lotus Bank and TAJ Bank are now mandated to deploy dedicated digital portals for pilgrims’ registration and manage all HSS funds strictly under Islamic finance principles.
In a statement signed by Hajia Fatima Sanda Usara, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, the Commission said each bank is expected to produce an implementation roadmap aimed at improving transparency, safeguarding pilgrims’ deposits and expanding access across the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, NAHCON Chairman, Abdullahi Saleh Usman, said the scheme offers Nigerians an organised platform to begin early financial planning for Hajj. He noted that many intending pilgrims are willing to join but lack adequate awareness. Usman said NAHCON and its partners would intensify sensitisation through religious leaders, traditional media and digital channels. He commended the HSS Unit and the banks for their commitment.
Commissioner of Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance, Prince Abdulrazaq Aliu, said the banks were selected based on their capacity to deliver on expectations. He called for a performance evaluation framework and periodic assessment of progress, adding that NAHCON would provide the necessary regulatory environment.
The Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, described the scheme as a lifeline for future Hajj planning, especially under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. He said the traditional last-minute approach would no longer work and expressed confidence that the HSS would ensure readily registered pilgrims when data is required.
In his closing remarks, Commissioner of Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services, Abubakar Yagawal, said the refreshed HSS structure had addressed “99.9 percent” of Nigeria’s Hajj planning challenges. He projected that Nigeria could replicate the success of countries like Indonesia.
Representatives of the four banks, including managing directors from Jaiz Bank and TAJ Bank, attended the signing ceremony. Speaking on behalf of the institutions, Jaiz Bank MD, Haruna Musa, pledged full commitment to the scheme and promised to leverage technology and traditional outreach channels to drive enrollment. He said a successful HSS would improve the Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims significantly. By Bashir Bello
