In a renewed effort to bolster the effectiveness of the Hajj Savings Scheme and ensure a smoother registration experience for prospective pilgrims, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has held a strategic meeting with TAJBank Limited, the financial institution managing the scheme’s dedicated portal. The meeting, which took place earlier this week, was convened to assess the current functionality of the digital platform while identifying areas requiring improvement ahead of the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The deliberation focused extensively on enhancing the accessibility and user-friendliness of the Hajj Savings Scheme registration portal, a crucial component of the broader reform agenda initiated by NAHCON to reposition Hajj operations in Nigeria. Since its official launch in October 2020, the Hajj Savings Scheme—designed to allow intending pilgrims to gradually save towards their spiritual journey—has seen increasing adoption among Nigerian Muslims, with thousands already enrolled across the six geopolitical zones.
During the high-level review session, both parties examined the system’s performance during the buildup to the 2024 and 2025 Hajj operations. Key metrics such as user traffic, registration success rates, and financial transaction reliability were analysed, as NAHCON reiterated its commitment to maintaining transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the scheme’s operations. Stakeholders present at the meeting agreed on the urgent need to deploy upgrades that would further simplify the registration process, particularly for subscribers in rural and underserved communities.
Representatives from TAJBank, Nigeria’s leading non-interest financial institution, reassured the Commission of their readiness to implement technical enhancements and user interface upgrades that will reflect current global standards in digital banking. The bank noted that customer feedback collected over the past two Hajj cycles has been instrumental in shaping the upcoming improvements.
Speaking after the meeting, a senior NAHCON official who preferred not to be named stated that the Commission is poised to ensure that every intending pilgrim, regardless of their location or educational background, finds the savings scheme not only accessible but also trustworthy and responsive to their needs. He added that the collaboration with TAJBank reflects the Commission’s broader vision of leveraging technology to democratize access to Hajj for all qualified Nigerian Muslims.
The Hajj Savings Scheme is part of NAHCON’s long-term strategy to reduce dependence on last-minute payments and foreign exchange volatility by enabling subscribers to save in naira over a period of time. It also ensures better planning and allocation of Hajj slots in line with Saudi Arabia’s annual quota system.
As preparations gradually begin for the 2026 Hajj season, the Commission and its financial partners appear to be taking proactive steps to ensure that the digital infrastructure supporting the process is robust, inclusive, and secure. The outcome of this recent engagement, according to insiders, will inform the next wave of updates to the portal, scheduled to roll out in the coming months.
The Hajj Savings Scheme remains open to all eligible Nigerian Muslims aged 18 and above, with registration accessible through licensed State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards or directly via the official portal managed by TAJBank.
