Operations, Inspectorate & Licensing

Alidu Shutti

Head, Inspectorate and Compliance

Born in late 60’s. He attended University of Ilorin to obtain B.Art Islamic studies and MPA. He has over 19 years working experience in public organizations.

Experience: He worked as a producer at Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) Oshogbo from 1997 to 2011. He joined National Hajj Commission in 2011. He initially worked in the office that liaises with States Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards across the Federation and NAHCON zonal offices. He has also headed the Tour Operators and Licensing divisions within the department before being deployed to his present post. He has attended seminars, workshop, conferences Nationally and Internationally on hajj and umrah matters

Functions of the Division:

The functions of the division among others are as follows:

• Ensuring Compliance of organisations with the policies of National Hajj Commission, Federal Government and the Saudi authorities.
• Settling of disputes arising from Hajj and Umrah operations.
• Inspection of offices of tour operators in Nigeria, State Pilgrims Accommodation, Catering Services to the Pilgrims and Tour Operator’s accommodation in Makkah and Madina

Dalhatu Isa

Head, States & Zonal Coordination

Muhammad Ahmad Shira

Head, Tour Operators Division

He attended Central Primary School Shira from 1977 to 1982, Pilot Junior Secondary School, from1982 to 1985, Government Technical College Bauchi from 1985 to 1988, College for Legal & Islamic Studies Misau (diploma in Arabic English & Islamic Studies) from 1990 to 1993, University of Maiduguri ( B.A. Islamic Studies) Digital Age Technologies Bauchi (Diploma in Computer Studies) from 2000 to 2001,Post Graduate Diploma in Education (Bayero University Kano) from 2006 to 2007, Masters in Public Administration (Ahmadu Bello University Zaria) 2019.

Working Experience: National Youth Service at Hadeja Jama’are River Basin Dev. Authority, Kano from 1998 to 1999, Lecture and Coordinator of Computer and Information Centre, College for Legal & Islamic Studies Misau Bauchi State from 2001 to 2009, Senior Administrative officer (Chairman/CEO’s office) NAHCON from 2009 to 2010. He has worked in across various divisions in Operations department till date.

Functions of the Division:

i. Costodian of Tour OperatorsRegistry

ii. Announcement of application to interested Tour Operators for Hajj allocation 
iii. Registration of Tour Operator companies in the Commission
iv. To pre-qualify those companies who have met the Commission’s set standard before issuance of license
v. Request for security vetting of applicant companies and their Directors before registration with Commission

vii. Custodian of both financial and operational records of the Tour Operator companies

viii. Allocation of Hajj slots to qualified Tour Operator Companies

ix. Routine physical inspection of the offices of the Tour Operator Companies in cunjunction with Licensing and Inspectorate Division 

x. Coordination and monitoring of Umrah and Hajj activities of the Licensed Tour Operator Companies both onshore and offshore

xi. The Division is also in charge of streamlining the excesses of the companies who violate Saudi guidelines and NAHCON laid down standards.

xii. Issuance of Recommendation letter to the Licensed Tour Operators Companies for consideration in the Saudi Embassy and Consulate.

xiii. Release of Pilgrims during a visit to Makkah and Madina both ways as the case may be.

xiv. Clearance for Pilgrim proceeding to Jeddah and Madina Airport for final Departure.

Mohammed  Goni Sanda

Head – Aviation Division

Mohammed Goni Sanda, an Electrical/Electronics engineer and Head of Aviation Division of the Commission is a graduate of University of Maiduguri where he obtained Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical/Electronics Engineering. He also obtained M.Sc. Electrical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Goni is a Member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and duly is registered by the Council of Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). Similarly, has attended seminars, workshops, and conferences nationally and internationally on Engineering, Aviation, Hajj and umrah related courses in Nigeria where he obtained certificate in APS and BAPOM from the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and IATA.

Before joining the defunct Directorate of Pilgrims affairs in 2003, Goni had worked as a Systems Engineer in the private sector. Since the inception of the Commission in 2006 he had been the Head of ICT Division, from where he was deployed to his current position.

Functions of the Division:

• To organize and process the conduct of the screening exercise of Air Carriers and Cargo Companies for Hajj operation.
• To inspect various Airport for the Airlift of Pilgrims during Hajj Operations.
• To inspect the Aircraft provided by the Air Carriers and their Catering Services in conjunction with NCAA for approval.
• To enlighten and monitor the Airlift of pilgrims both onshore and offshore.

Functions of the Division:

• Coordinates the licensing of service providers in liaison with relevant units, divisions and departments of the Commission
• Announcement of Application for Hajj to interested Tour Operator Companies on the Website of the Commission, National Dailies and Social Media in collaboration with the relevant Units, Divisions and Department of the Commission.
• Activation of portal to receive applications from the interested Tour Operators to participate in Hajj.
• Processing and Issuance of License to Qualified Tour Operator Companies for Umrah.