By Mahmud Babangida Beli

The Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf received a delegation from Indonesia’s Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH), led by Prof. Arif Mufraini, on a courtesy and collaboration visit at the Commission’s office in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday 4th June 2026.

The NAHCON Chairman/CEO warmly welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for the visit.

“It is an honour to receive you and we appreciate your decision to consult with us. In an operation of this magnitude, there is a lot to gain from consultation and sharing experiences”, he stated.

Ambassador Yusuf emphasized that NAHCON remains committed to developing a more sustainable and self-reliant operational model capable of strengthening service delivery, improving efficiency, and reducing dependence on third-party providers.

He further noted that Nigeria is interested in learning from Indonesia’s experience in managing and investing Hajj funds. The Chairman observed that strategic investments in Hajj-related infrastructure, particularly accommodation facilities, could create long-term benefits for pilgrims.

“If you invest well, perhaps by building hotels, we will patronize you. This could help us reduce the cost of accommodation for our pilgrims while also fostering a better understanding and stronger partnership between our institutions,”he said.

The Chairman also disclosed that NAHCON is exploring investment opportunities and hopes to commence strategic investments by 2027 as part of efforts to gradually transition towards a more financially sustainable model to relieve government from periodic financial interventions on hajj.

According to Prof. Arif Mufraini, the visit was aimed at re-establishing the long-standing relationship between NAHCON and BPKH, while exploring additional areas of cooperation, particularly in Hajj funds management and the enhancement of services provided to pilgrims.

Prof. Arif explained that Indonesia operates a Hajj savings scheme with a minimum age requirement of 12 years for registration. He disclosed that BPKH currently manages Hajj savings from approximately 5.6 million subscribers, each of whom has deposited an initial amount of about $1,500. He noted that the funds are professionally managed and invested in accordance with established regulations to support the sustainability of Hajj operations and improve services for pilgrims.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both organizations to exchange experiences, discuss common challenges, and explore practical approaches to improving Hajj administration, pilgrim welfare, and Hajj funds management. The engagement further reinforced the shared commitment of NAHCON and BPKH to strengthening institutional cooperation for the benefit of pilgrims in both countries.