Vice President Kashim Shettima has commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for its improved coordination of the 2026 Hajj exercise. According to a statement issued on Friday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima received the comprehensive 2026 Hajj operations report from the NAHCON board, led by its Chairman, Ismail Abba Yusuf, in Abuja.
Shettima attributed the success of the 2026 exercise to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's leadership and decisive intervention at a critical time during the operations. He expressed gratitude to the President for his support, which culminated in a highly successful and seamless operation. The Vice President also applauded the leadership of the NAHCON board, particularly its chairman, for displaying confidence and capacity in the last exercise.
The Vice President noted that NAHCON had demonstrated renewed vigour under its current management and would remain crucial as global Hajj operations undergo a significant shift from a government-to-government to a business-to-business model. He emphasized that the role of government remained critical to ensuring a hitch-free operation and that NAHCON would continue to play a vital role in championing the cause of a successful Hajj exercise.
Earlier, Yusuf thanked President Tinubu and Shettima for their unwavering executive backing, which significantly relieved the financial burden on a multitude of pilgrims. He noted that their policy interventions, particularly in stabilizing foreign exchange access, securing the basic travelling allowance, and mitigating sudden spikes in aviation fuel, ensured that the sacred obligation remained accessible despite a highly challenging global economic and geopolitical climate.
Yusuf further noted that through the direct leadership and guidance of the Vice President, NAHCON was able to harmonize collaboration across stakeholders to deliver what has been widely adjudged as a highly successful, seamless operation. He added that Nigerian pilgrims were treated with utmost dignity, from early arrangements and timely airlift to logistical management within the hajj camp.
Also present at the report presentation were NAHCON's Commissioner of Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance, AbdulRazak Aliu; Commissioner of Operations, Anofi Elegushi; and members representing the six geopolitical zones on the board of the commission, among others. The presentation marked a significant milestone in the successful execution of the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The successful 2026 Hajj exercise is a testament to the effective collaboration between the Federal Government and NAHCON. The exercise demonstrated that with proper planning, coordination, and government support, even complex operations can be executed seamlessly.
Key points
- Vice President Kashim Shettima commends NAHCON for improved coordination of 2026 Hajj exercise
- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's leadership and intervention critical to success of 2026 Hajj exercise
- NAHCON to play vital role in championing successful Hajj exercise under new business-to-business model
