The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has called for a wholesale reform in the administration of Hajj in Nigeria to establish a system that is transparent, efficient, accountable and pilgrim-centred, and able to set 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 said the theme of the summit, “Repositioning Nigeria’s Hajj Industry as a Model of Service Excellence” is apt and timely, as it demonstrates the collective determination by the country to improve the quality of services rendered to Nigerian pilgrims.
Hajj, the Minister said, was not just a sacred religious duty but also an exercise that requires meticulous planning, seamless coordination and exceptional service delivery.
“Every pilgrim deserves a dignified, safe, comfortable and professional experience,” “Achieving that requires commitment, transparency and accountability from all stakeholders,” she said.
Mahmoud praised the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for organising the summit to conduct a critical review of the 2026 Hajj operations, stressing that candid appraisal of achievements and setbacks is still vital for building public confidence and fostering institutional reforms.
She stressed the commitment of the Federal Capital Territory Administration to initiatives that would improve public service delivery, noting that collaboration among governments, regulatory agencies, service providers, State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and religious leaders was necessary to build a more efficient and sustainable Hajj management system.
The Minister appealed to participants to make useful contributions at the summit from practical experiences and global best practices.
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“The recommendations of this summit should give us a clear roadmap for sustainable reforms which will make for efficiency, accountability, innovation and pilgrim satisfaction,” she said.
Mahmoud also commended the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s steadfast commitment to institutional reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda adding that the administration’s focus on transparency, efficiency and people-centred governance is further strengthening critical national institutions such as those managing Hajj affairs.
She also commended the leadership of the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike for creating an enabling environment that supports reforms and excellence in service delivery in public service.
The chairman and chief executive officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf said in his remarks that the summit was not only to review one season but to reposition Hajj processes for effective performance.
He stated that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is implementing Vision 2030, the most ambitious transformation of the administration of pilgrimage in modern history, adding that the forum should be considered a forum for accountability.
He said the modest achievements recorded during the 2026 Hajj operation must be interrogated and how such achievements could be institutionalized.
“Each defect must be diagnosed without flattery and the remedy prescribed. “There are things that we did and there are things that we have to fix,” he said.
