The Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for greater cooperation, unity, and collective decision-making among members of the Borno State Hajj Commission following the submission of its report on the 2026 Hajj operations.
Receiving the report in Maiduguri, Governor Zulum said the state government would carefully examine the document to assess the successes recorded during the exercise and identify areas requiring improvement.
He noted that the report was intended to highlight both the achievements and challenges encountered during the previous pilgrimage, stressing that the lessons learnt would help strengthen future Hajj operations.
“We shall study the report and carry out a thorough analysis of what transpired during the 2026 Hajj operation. We shall examine the successes and challenges and determine how best to address any shortcomings, if any,” the governor said.
Governor Zulum, however, identified the lack of synergy and collective decision-making among members as one of the commission’s major challenges.
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He said complaints received over the years pointed to inadequate collaboration between permanent and non-permanent members, as well as officials of the commission.
“The major problem of the commission is the inability to take collective decisions. Everybody wants to operate independently, and we have to address this issue. Hajj operations cannot be conducted by a few individuals. All members and officials are important and must be carried along,” he said.
The governor stressed the need for regular consultations and a more inclusive decision-making process, particularly involving non-permanent members, whom he described as key stakeholders in the commission’s activities.
He also pledged to convene a meeting involving both permanent and non-permanent members to deliberate on the report and chart a way forward to improve Hajj administration in the state.
The Executive Chairman of the Borno State Hajj Commission, Professor Yakubu Yunus, thanked Governor Zulum for the confidence reposed in him and for the opportunity to serve under his administration.
Professor Yunus said the commission had undertaken extensive consultations with stakeholders and relevant agencies to develop a roadmap aimed at improving the welfare of pilgrims from Borno State.
He explained that internal reforms introduced by the commission led to the establishment of committees to review its financial records and operational activities. The exercise uncovered outstanding refunds owed to pilgrims who participated in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Hajj exercises.
“We discovered refunds due to our pilgrims from previous Hajj operations, and the commission initiated the repayment process. Alhamdulillah, we were able to refund about ₦450 million to 284 pilgrims across the three years,” the chairman said.
The professor reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and improved service delivery, adding that the reforms introduced were already delivering positive outcomes for pilgrims from the state.
