By :Ibrahim Abubakar Nagarta
In retrospect, the National hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) got a new Chairman in October, 2024 in person of an erudite and revered Islamic scholar Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, whose service to Islam and humanity spanned over 3 decades and speaks volume of his vast experience and willingness to serve the Muslim ummah in whatever circumstance he finds himself.
When Professor Abdullahi, took the mantle of NAHCON’s leadership barely a year back now many Nigerians expressed joy, confidence and optimism knowing pretty well the calibre of individual appointed by his Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to steer the affairs of the apex hajj body in the country. Professor Abdullahi’s transparency, honesty, open door policy, simplicity and to crown it all dedication to duty cannot be overemphasized.
Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman’s past impeccable records speak volumes about his current appointment for national assignment.
Praise be to Allah, the expectations of positive minded Nigerians about the man in question have actually come to pass, because Professor Abdullahi Pakistan, has proved optimists right and pessimists wrong, given the resounding victory recorded during the immediate past hajj operation for the year 2025.
Below are some few outstanding milestone achievements out of many during the just concluded hajj exercise under the stewardship of Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman:
*INBOUND AND OUTBOUND AIRLIFT OF PILGRIMS
The smooth,seamless and prompt transportation of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and back home during the 2025 hajj season was unprecedented in the last 15 years or so, according testimonies by scores of hajj veterans.
Interestingly, It took the National hajj Commission of Nigeria only but 2 weeks to complete the outbound airlift of over 40 thousand pilgrims directly to Madinah and subsequently to Makkah after having spent some days in the prophet’s city ahead of the commencement of hajj rites.
In the past, according to keen observers of airlift operations in the country, it had almost become a tradition then, for Nigeria to seek or request for deadline extension from Saudi Arabian authorities in order to meet up with regard to airlifting pilgrims for hajj, but Prof. Abdullahi’s proactiveness and foresight after been appointed as NAHCON boss has completely changed the narrative for excellence. And insha Allah it would be sustained!
Similarly, the return journey back to Nigeria also recorded a great success despite the slow pace experienced at beginning due to high demand of flight slots by other hajj participating countries.
However, the situation later improved drastically for good as NAHCON successfully met up with the stipulated timeframe of 2nd July, 2025 for rounding up the homeward journey.
*ACCOMMODATION IN MADINAH
The National hajj Commission of Nigeria, had sufficiently kept to its responsibility of providing decent, well furnished and short distant accommodations to the holy prophet’s mosque in Madinah to all Nigerian pilgrims, such that no pilgrim could miss any obligatory prayer due to long distance except out of personal wish of pilgrims. In Makkah also Buses were provided to ease transportation hurdles especially for those who might wish to be attending congregational prayers at Masjidil Haram in Makka.
*HEALTHCARE DELIVERY TO PILGRIMS
I had the privilege of interviewing the head of Nigerian medical team for 2025 hajj on Arafat day physically in person of Dr.Sani Garba, in the course of our discussion which was aired later on Nagarta Radio Kaduna, he spoke on issues ranging from the adequacy of drugs provided by NAHCON for the treatment of Nigerian pilgrims, number of health personnels recruited that cuts across the major and needed fields of medicine required during hajj exercise.
Dr. Sani expressed gratitude and commendation to the hajj commission for the wonderful arrangements to ensure that pilgrims were properly taken care of medically.
Nigeria like other countries which participated in the august hajj exercise lost some pilgrims to distinct health problems and complications. We pray Almighty Allah to forgive their shortcomings and give their families and the nation at large the fortitude to bear the loss. Death is inevitable as every soul shall taste it, no matter the situation whether sick or in state of good health!
*FEEDING IN MADINAH AND MASHA’IR
This is another key area where the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has performed remarkably well in providing sufficient and nutritious foods, variety of drinks and fruits to pilgrims while in Madinah,Makkah and most importantly at the Masha’ir. Indeed, many pilgrims interviewed have expressed satisfaction and optimism that Nigeria has begun to get it right as far as effective hajj management is concerned,under the current new leadership of Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman.
Interestingly,Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, as a good Muslim and a preacher of high standing has always been attributing the successes to Almighty Allah, the collective efforts of his management team and all staff of the commission.
*AWARDS
The National hajj commission has been presented with various awards for its outstanding performance in distinct ways during this year’s hajj, by different Saudi organizations as well as service providers. Details about some of the awards will be highlighted in our next piece under this same caption.