Nigeria Requests Higher Hajj Quota from Saudi Authorities

Nigeria has asked Saudi Arabia to increase its Hajj pilgrims’ quota due to the growing number of Nigerians who wish to undertake the religious journey. The Ambassador of Nigeria to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Yahaya Lawal, made the appeal at a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, where Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj and Umrah, discussed the preparations and facilities for the 2023 Hajj. According to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Nigeria is currently the fourth or fifth country with the largest number of pilgrims that participate in the Umrah and Hajj exercises in Saudi Arabia. Lawal encouraged Nigerian pilgrims to be good ambassadors for their country and religion while in Saudi Arabia. He also advised pilgrims to take advantage of the opportunity to make the most of the Hajj exercise’s spiritual and temporal benefits and utilize the facilities provided to ensure their comfort and well-being. The Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj and Umrah emphasized the efforts to enhance the Hajj experience for the global 1.5 billion Muslim community and agreed to include Nigeria in the seven-country Makkah Route Initiative.