Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, says he is committed to delivering a seamless and successful Hajj 2025.
He made this known at a meeting he held with chief executives of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards at NAHCON Headquarters, Abuja, during this week, according to a statement issued by Shafii Sani Mohammed of the Information & Publications Division, NAHCON.
Prof. Saleh said he has been resolving several challenges upon assumption of office, assuring the stakeholders that he would reposition NAHCON for greater efficiency.
“He highlighted some of the contentious issues so far resolved, including the refund of 150 Saudi Riyals for poorly rendered electricity services during the 2023 Hajj. Professor Saleh Usman affirmed that his administration is working tirelessly to settle the 2% service charges that was earmarked for the State pilgrims board in relation to the 2024 Hajj. The Chairman also pledged to clear all outstanding legitimate claims in accordance with the law, laying the foundation for a new chapter in NAHCON’s operations,” the statement read.
The NAHCON boss, meanwhile, urged the state chief executives to expedite remittances to the Commission to enable early preparations for Hajj 2025, including securing affordable and suitable accommodations at Madina, Makkah, Mina and Mashaer.
He also announced his move to embark on visits to the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria to engage with governors, religious scholars, and traditional rulers to garner support and blessings for next year’s Hajj.
According to Prof. Saleh, the first pre-Hajj visit to Saudi Arabia will take place in January 2025 comprising a delegation from both NAHCON and Chief Executives of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, who will attend Hajj preparation meetings, finalize agreements with service providers, and inspect arrangements in Jeddah.
The NAHCON Chairman emphasized the importance of teamwork, calling NAHCON staff, State Chief Executives and other stakeholders the strongest pillars of the Commission. He urged all stakeholders to work together as one family to achieve the common goal of providing a seamless and spiritually fulfilling Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims.
“I came here with good intentions and a bag full of plans to change and reposition the Commission for the better. Let us open a new page and make NAHCON and State Pilgrims Welfare Authorities exemplary institutions for the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims,” the statement quoted the NAHCON chief as saying.
The Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofi Olarewaju Elegushi, provided updates on the 2025 Hajj calendar, noting the distribution of a 51-page guiding document from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to streamline operations.
He urged the stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the guidelines and adhere to the operational timelines.
The meeting agenda also covered unresolved issues from the 2024 Hajj where the Commissioner Policy, Personnel Management & Finance (PPMF), Prince Aliu Abdulrazak, made it known that the NAHCON Chairman has given approval to commence the payment of refunds to states after completion of reconciliation with the Finance and Accounts Division.
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