The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has successfully advanced payment for camp booking in Mashair for Private Tour Operators (PTO) pending funding of their IBAN accounts. This follows a request by the Private Tour Operators for NAHCON to intervene precluding inaccessibility of the NUSUK MASAR contract portal scheduled to be closed by 14th of February 2025. 4,601 spaces have successfully been booked so far in Tent D while booking is still ongoing.
It would be recalled that transferring of funds to Tour Operators’ IBAN accounts had been a source of concern in recent years, preventing some operators from accessing visa for all their pilgrims.
This measure to advance payment on the PTO’s behalf was approved by the Professor Abdullahi Saleh led board to prevent the closure of contracts on the NUSUK MASAR portal from hampering the operator’s access to visa. The approval ensures that Nigerian pilgrims under private tour operators have guaranteed access to visa processing and Mashair camp accommodation during the upcoming Hajj.
Similarly, booking of 52, 544 camp slots have successfully been completed for Nigerian pilgrims under state quota today.
The NAHCON Chairman expressed profound gratitude to Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu without whose trust and support this feat would not have been possible. The Chairman also commended NAHCON staff for their dedication that made the bookings successful.