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TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA
The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Mariya Mahmoud, has called for comprehensive reforms in Nigeria’s Hajj administration, urging stakeholders to build a transparent, efficient, accountable and pilgrim-centred system capable of delivering world-class services.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Stakeholders’ Summit on Post-2026 Hajj Review and NAHCON Reform held at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, Mahmoud said repositioning the nation’s Hajj industry had become imperative to improve service delivery and restore public confidence.
The summit, themed “Repositioning Nigeria’s Hajj Industry as a Model of Service Excellence,” she noted, reflects the country’s collective determination to enhance the quality of services provided to Nigerian pilgrims.
Mahmoud described Hajj as more than a religious obligation, stressing that it requires meticulous planning, seamless coordination and exceptional service delivery.
“Every pilgrim deserves an experience that reflects dignity, safety, comfort and professionalism. Achieving this requires unwavering commitment, transparency and accountability from all stakeholders,” she said.
She commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for convening the summit to critically assess the 2026 Hajj operations, noting that honest evaluation of successes and shortcomings is essential for strengthening institutional capacity and driving sustainable reforms.
The minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to initiatives that improve public service delivery, adding that stronger collaboration among government institutions, regulatory agencies, service providers, State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and religious leaders is critical to building a more efficient and sustainable Hajj management system.
She urged participants to draw from practical experiences and international best practices in developing recommendations that would provide a roadmap for reforms focused on efficiency, accountability, innovation and improved pilgrims’ satisfaction.
Mahmoud also lauded President Bola Tinubu for advancing institutional reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the administration’s emphasis on transparency, efficiency and people-centred governance continues to strengthen key national institutions, including those responsible for Hajj administration.
She further acknowledged the leadership of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for fostering an environment that promotes reforms and excellence in public service.
Earlier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, said the summit was designed not merely to review the 2026 Hajj exercise but to reposition Nigeria’s Hajj administration for greater efficiency.
He observed that Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 represents the most ambitious transformation of pilgrimage administration in modern history and urged stakeholders to approach the summit as a platform for accountability and continuous improvement.
According to Yusuf, the achievements recorded during the 2026 Hajj operations should be institutionalised, while existing challenges must be openly identified and addressed.
“There are things we achieved and there are things we must fix. Every shortcoming must be named without embellishment and matched with a remedy,” he said.
