The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has called for comprehensive reforms in Nigeria’s Hajj administration to build a transparent, efficient, accountable, and pilgrim-centred system capable of setting the benchmark for service excellence.
Speaking at the Stakeholders’ Summit on Post-2026 Hajj Review and NAHCON Reform held at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, Nigeria, Mahmoud described the summit’s theme, “Repositioning Nigeria’s Hajj Industry as a Model of Service Excellence”, as timely and significant, noting that it reflects the nation’s collective resolve to improve the quality of services rendered to Nigerian pilgrims.
According to the Minister, Hajj is not only a sacred religious obligation but also an exercise that requires meticulous planning, seamless coordination, and exceptional service delivery.
READ ALSO:NAHCON Concludes 2026 Hajj Airlift as Last Flight Lands
“Every pilgrim deserves an experience that reflects dignity, safety, comfort, and professionalism. Achieving this requires unwavering commitment, transparency, and accountability from all stakeholders,” she stated.
Mahmoud commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for convening the summit to undertake a critical assessment of the 2026 Hajj operations, stressing that honest evaluation of achievements and challenges remains essential to strengthening public confidence and driving institutional reforms.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Capital Territory Administration to initiatives that improve public service delivery, emphasizing that collaboration among governments, regulatory agencies, service providers, State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and religious leaders is indispensable to building a more efficient and sustainable Hajj management system.
The Minister urged participants to make meaningful contributions during the summit by drawing on practical experiences and global best practices.
“The recommendations from this summit should provide a clear roadmap for sustainable reforms that will enhance efficiency, accountability, innovation and pilgrims’ satisfaction,” she said.
Mahmoud also applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to institutional reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the administration’s emphasis on transparency, efficiency and people-centred governance continues to strengthen critical national institutions, including those responsible for Hajj administration.
She equally acknowledged the leadership of the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, for fostering an environment that supports reforms and excellence in public service delivery.
In his remarks, the chairman and chief executive officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, stated that the purpose of the summit was not just to review one season but to reposition Hajj processes for effective performance.
He revealed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is executing Vision 2030, the most ambitious transformation of pilgrimage administration in modern history, adding that the forum should be seen as a forum for accountability.
According to him, the modest achievements recorded during the 2026 Hajj operation must be interrogated, and how such achievements could be institutionalised.
“Every shortcoming must be named without embellishment and matched with a remedy. There are things we achieved and there are things we must fix”, he stated.
