Makkah: The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commended stakeholders for their contribution to ensuring a successful 2026 Hajj operations in Saudi Arabia. Amb. Ismail Yusuf, the Chairman of NAHCON, expressed his appreciation on Sunday night in Makkah during a Post-Arafat Review Meeting.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the meeting was designed by NAHCON as an evaluation process to gather feedback from stakeholders, assess operational performance, and develop strategies for improving future operations. Yusuf specifically commended the medical team, the Ulamas, NAHCON’s operational staff, the media, and all other stakeholders for their support and commitment.
“Everybody has done very well and we use this opportunity to commend you for all the good work you have done. The staff of NAHCON, the staff of the States Pilgrims Council, the medical team, members of the Ulama who provided spiritual guidance, and our royal fathers who provided royal guidance to our children. We thank you all for your hard work in this very, very modest success,” he said.
Yusuf highlighted that patience played a major role in the success recorded, urging all stakeholders to always exercise patience in their dealings with others. He emphasized the challenges of mobilizing 1.7 million people within a limited space, which could lead to crises of space, security, and fear. He noted the importance of patience, especially for leaders responsible for the care of pilgrims.
He assured that the commission would address the few lapses noticed during the 2026 Hajj to improve future operations, particularly for 2027 and beyond. “Mistakes will always be corrected. I am sure that Allah has provided us with a window to correct some of the mistakes that we have seen. At the appropriate time, we are going to be advising the stakeholders on areas that we think mistakes were made so that corrections could be made,” he said.
Sen. Ali Ndume, Chairman of the Senate Sub-Committee on Hajj, also commended NAHCON for the successful conduct of the Hajj exercise. He praised the commission for its commitment, coordination, and dedication in ensuring that Nigerian pilgrims successfully performed the Hajj rites amidst complex logistical and operational demands. He acknowledged the efforts of NAHCON’s management, state pilgrims’ welfare boards, service providers, and other stakeholders whose efforts contributed to the success of the exercise.
“The achievements recorded during the 2026 Hajj reflect the commitment of NAHCON and its partners to improving service delivery for Nigerian pilgrims,” Ndume stated. He urged the commission to address identified challenges and further improve future operations.