NAHCON trains Hajj, Umrah operators on e-registration

THE Information and Communications Technology (ICT) division of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has trained Hajj tour operator companies in the country on electronic portal registration.

At the training programme, which took place on Monday in Abuja, participants were acquainted with the electronic registration process for Nigerian pilgrims using two main platforms: NAHCON’s portal for Hajj tour operators’ registration and licensing and the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj portal for pilgrims’ registration, the e-track portal.

A statement signed by the head of the public affairs unit of NAHCON, Fatima Sanda Usara, said the exercise was a reflection of the changing technological realities of Hajj operations across the world.

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“Participants were drilled on each of the aforementioned portals, taken individually as modules. There were practical sessions anchored separately by the acting head of ICT, head of Software Application and another practical session on e-track portal by the head of Hardware and Networking Infrastructure.

“Similarly, the attention of participants was drawn to the importance of National Identity Number as a prerequisite for Hajj registration on both portals. There were also talks on the need for the tour operators to conduct proper medical screening for intending pilgrims before registration for Hajj is confirmed.

“Finally, a communication platform for continuous interaction and resolution of issues towards successful 2019 Hajj operations was created. Participants expressed appreciation to the management of NAHCON for embracing such digital transformations and for its concern in making the process of Hajj registration as seamless as possible,” the statement said.

Present at the occasion were NAHCON’s top staff members and officials and members of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON).