ABU, NAHCON partner to launch MBA in Hajj operations management

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has entered into a partnership with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for the joint development and delivery of a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Hajj operations management.

The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ABU Distance Learning Centre and the NAHCON Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN), signed at a ceremony held at Hajj House in Abuja on Friday.

A statement issued by ABU’s Director of Public Affairs, Auwal Umar, said the partnership is primarily aimed at establishing a framework for collaboration in the planning, delivery and continuous improvement of Hajj operations and management.

Under the agreement, both institutions will collaborate on curriculum development and periodic review, as well as the delivery of specialised Hajj and Umrah courses.

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The partnership will also cover professional seminars and executive education, internships and field attachments, research and innovation, industry engagement and international collaboration.

Under the MoU, ABU, through its Distance Learning Centre, will assume overall academic responsibility for the MBA Hajj operations management programme.

The university will also be responsible for obtaining and maintaining the necessary academic approvals and accreditation, admitting qualified candidates in line with its regulations and providing academic staff for management and related courses.

ABU will further conduct examinations and moderation, approve results and award the MBA Hajj operations management degree.

The university is also expected to provide academic administration and learner support while ensuring that the programme complies with its quality assurance standards.

On its part, NAHCON, through the Hajj Institute of Nigeria, will provide technical leadership in Hajj and Umrah operations and nominate qualified practitioners to serve as adjunct lecturers and resource persons, subject to ABU’s requirements.

The Commission will also facilitate practical training and field visits, while assisting in identifying and facilitating internship placements for students within Nigeria and internationally.

The two institutions further agreed on the importance of preserving and disseminating research outputs generated through the programme.

The MoU provides that nothing in the agreement shall prejudice intellectual property ownership or authorship rights vested in students and the university.

The Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Professor Adamu Ahmed, signed the agreement on behalf of the university, while the NAHCON Chairman, Ambassador Isma’il Abba Yusuf, signed on behalf of the Commission.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by senior officials from both institutions, including ABU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Advancement, Research and Innovation, Professor Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi; Registrar, Rabi’u Sama’ila; Director, Distance Learning Centre, Professor M. B. Mu’azu; and Director, CBN Centre for Economics and Finance, Professor Auwal Haruna.

Others included the Director of Public Affairs Directorate, Auwalu Umar; Assistant Director, Advancement, Dr Ahmed Zakariyya; and Principal Technical Officer (Photography), Tajuddeen Kamaluddeen Usman.

Representing NAHCON were the Rector of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria, Professor Muhammad Nasir Maiturare, alongside other senior management staff of the Commission.

The partnership is expected to strengthen professional training, research and practical expertise in Hajj and Umrah operations, while creating a structured academic pathway for developing specialised manpower in the sector.