The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has deepened engagements with its financial partners on the rollout of a digital registration portal under the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS), aimed at making it easier for Nigerian Muslims to prepare for the sacred pilgrimage.
At a recent session, Jaiz Bank, Taj Bank, Alternative Bank, and Lotus Bank presented their proposals on the new platform, designed to help intending pilgrims save gradually and securely towards fulfilling their religious obligation.
The Hajj Savings Scheme was introduced as a contributory initiative to reduce the burden of last-minute payments and provide a transparent and accessible pathway for more Nigerians to perform Hajj.
According to the presentations, intending pilgrims will be able to register with their phone number, Bank Verification Number (BVN), and email address. Other features included enhanced security through facial verification, flexible savings options, full transaction history, minor accounts for children, and the ability to choose preferred states of departure and flight dates.
Institutional dashboards will also be provided for State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, while NAHCON will serve as superuser to monitor activities. To further ease access, the banks proposed embedding a registration tab in their mobile apps, allowing pilgrims to sign up with a single click.
NAHCON officials commended the financial partners for their innovations, noting that the initiative reflects the Commission’s commitment to easing the spiritual journey of Nigerian Muslims. With the active participation of Jaiz Bank, Taj Bank, Alternative Bank, and Lotus Bank, the Hajj Savings Scheme is positioned to create a sustainable framework for Muslims to answer the call to Hajj without undue financial strain.
By embracing technology-driven solutions, NAHCON reaffirmed its resolve to modernize Hajj operations while making the path to the Holy Land smoother and more convenient for pilgrims.
