The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has stepped up its monitoring efforts in Madinah as over 17,000 Nigerian pilgrims have now arrived in the holy city for the 2025 Hajj exercise.
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To guarantee that pilgrims are well-fed and comfortable, NAHCON’s Madinah Feeding Committee, headed by Alhaji Abdullahi Kabir, is keeping a close watch on the daily feeding operations. The committee oversees the provision of breakfast and dinner to every Nigerian pilgrim, ensuring food quality, hygiene, and cultural authenticity.
Speaking during an inspection, Alhaji Kabir emphasized that NAHCON’s attention to detail goes beyond just feeding. “We are committed to maintaining the dignity of every pilgrim through the meals served. This is about more than food; it’s about respect and responsibility,” he said.
Seven catering companies are currently engaged in serving the Nigerian contingent in Madinah. They include Africana Home Restaurant, Amjad Alghraa, Al-Andalus, Mawasim Khairat, Na’a Azad, Zowar Muktara, and Kabala Catering. Each kitchen is inspected regularly by committee members, who assess cleanliness, kitchen equipment, ingredient quality, and staff performance.
Importantly, NAHCON requires that Nigerian cooks and helpers be part of the kitchen teams to ensure the meals are prepared in line with local preferences and to provide job opportunities for Nigerian nationals.
During inspections, committee members carefully examine all food items, making sure ingredients meet nutritional standards and are within their expiration dates. There’s also a strict policy against artificial additives, with an emphasis on using only natural ingredients that align with traditional Nigerian recipes.
In a recent meeting with caterers, Madinah Coordinator Alhaji Abdulkadir Oloyin warned against the use of poor-quality food containers. “We won’t compromise on packaging standards. The food must not only be safe, but it must be served with dignity,” he stressed.
The committee also reinforced the importance of sticking to the approved Nigerian menu, ensuring that the meals remind pilgrims of home even while they are abroad.
As preparations continue and the Hajj season advances, NAHCON’s coordinated and detailed feeding oversight in Madinah stands as a clear demonstration of its commitment to the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.