By Shafii Sani Mohammed The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has intensified its preparations for the 2026 Hajj, with renewed emphasis on coordination, interdepartmental cooperation, and enhanced service delivery.
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This commitment was reinforced during a strategic operational review meeting held at the Hajj House and attended by the Chairman, Commissioners, Directors, and representatives of Acosta Media.
As part of NAHCON’s monthly staff training, todays topic centred on Madina Operations, NAHCON Chairman , Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, opened the session by highlighting the need for professionalism, accountability, and teamwork across all operational units.
He noted that Saudi Arabia continues to introduce new policies and technological reforms, making it essential for NAHCON staff to remain updated and adaptable. “Policies and technologies in Saudi Arabia change every year, and the expectations of Nigerian pilgrims continue to rise.
We must therefore ensure we are fully prepared, better informed, and highly coordinated,” the Chairman said. Addressing last year’s operational challenges, Professor Usman reminded staff that the lessons learned must drive improvements in the upcoming exercise. “We saw the areas where we fell short.
This year, we must be more disciplined, united, and committed to delivering the best for our pilgrims,” he added. He also spoke on the importance of understanding some gaps observed in last year’s operations. The Chairman encouraged staff to ask questions, share knowledge, and support one another, stressing that Hajj operations evolve every year even for officials permanently based in Saudi Arabia.
In a passionate address, the Commissioner for Policy, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services (PRSILS), Professor Abubakar Yagawal, issued a strong call for a complaint-free experience for Nigerian pilgrims in the Prophet’s City. He underscored the spiritual weight of any dissatisfaction raised in Madina:
“Please try to solve their problems, because any complaint against Madina, to my own sight, is a complaint to the Prophet ﷺ. Therefore, do not allow our pilgrims to make any complaint—whether on food, accommodation, or visitations.” Professor Yagawal urged officials to guide pilgrims from their arrival at the Madina airport through accommodation allocation and all related activities.
“If a pilgrim feels comfort in Madina, it is a very good start and he will be smiling all along. But if he starts with a problem in Madina, the consequences will be very bad,” he cautioned. He commended the dedication of NAHCON teams working tirelessly at the Madina airport but called for even greater effort:
“I have seen how our team works tirelessly in Madina. But please, double your effort to satisfy our pilgrims.”
Earlier in the programme, the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Alhaji Alidu Shutti, welcomed staff to the workshop and reaffirmed Management’s commitment to strengthening staff capacity ahead of the 2026 Hajj.
He encouraged staff to fully participate, noting that some presentations delivered during the workshops would generate questions for the Commission’s upcoming promotion examinations. The session reaffirmed NAHCON’s resolve to deliver a smoother, more efficient, and spiritually enriching Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims.
With leadership emphasizing preparedness, unity, and improved service delivery in Madina where the pilgrimage journey often begins NAHCON aims to surpass previous operational standards as it prepares for a successful 2026 exercise.