2026 Hajj: NAHCON to work with state boards to implement lessons learnt

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has assured that it will work together with state Muslim pilgrims’ boards and other stakeholders to implement lessons learnt during the just-concluded 2026 Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the benefit of Nigerian pilgrims.

The assurance was given on Sunday night by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, at the post-Arafat meeting held in Makkah to review Nigeria’s performance at this year’s Hajj.

Yusuf noted that the commission had learnt valuable lessons from the 2026 pilgrimage, adding that despite some challenges, Nigeria recorded notable successes, particularly at the Masha’ir (the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah).

“It is not lost on us that mistakes were made during this Hajj. There were challenges relating to security, accommodation and feeding,” the chairman said.

He stated that despite the challenges encountered, pilgrims must always be prepared to make sacrifices and exercise patience, considering that more than 1.7 million pilgrims participated in this year’s Hajj.

According to him, “Hajj is a spiritual exercise that requires sacrifice, endurance and patience. Pilgrims must be prepared for certain inconveniences that are inevitable in a gathering of such magnitude.”

The NAHCON boss, however, noted that operational difficulties should not excuse negligence on the part of officials charged with the responsibility of caring for pilgrims during the Hajj.

In light of this, he assured that the commission would continue to work closely with state pilgrims’ welfare boards, private tour operators and other critical stakeholders to improve on this year’s modest successes.

He said that despite the achievements recorded this year, much still remained to be done.

According to him, “We are still very, very far from where we should be. Much is still left to be done in terms of organisation.”

He commended the efforts of NAHCON staff, the National Medical Team, the National Ulama Team, traditional rulers and others for dedicating their time and energy to ensuring that pilgrims performed their Hajj successfully, making this year’s exercise a success.

“You all did well,” he declared.

Meanwhile, NAHCON has been commended for its efforts in ensuring a successful Hajj for Nigerian pilgrims this year.

Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Ali Ndume, said that although he was not accustomed to commending people in their presence, he could not but praise NAHCON for its hard work and efforts in recording a successful outing this year.

The senator, who represents Borno North, described the 2026 Hajj as one of the best-organised pilgrimages he had witnessed in more than two decades of involvement in Hajj operations.

According to him, “This is the best, or at least one of the best, in recent times.”

He noted that there were improvements in healthcare delivery for Nigerian pilgrims this year but advised that there should be better coordination among state boards in Mina.

He also called for improvements in healthcare delivery, the provision of Nigerian meals at the Masha’ir, the deployment of pilgrims’ guides and enhanced sanitation.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Hajj, Honourable Jafar Muhammad Ali, stated that there had been noticeable improvements in service delivery this year.

While commending NAHCON and the state boards, Ali said there was still a need for improvements in sanitation, food distribution, accommodation and transportation.

Speaking on behalf of the Forum of States’ Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies and Commissions, the Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Abubakar Salihu, said state officials were satisfied with many aspects of this year’s operations and praised NAHCON’s responsiveness.

The President of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON), Alhaji AbdulLateef Ekundayo, also expressed satisfaction with Nigeria’s performance this year and commended all stakeholders for their contributions.