In what many described as a taste of home away from home, Nigerian pilgrims performing the 2025 Hajj were treated to a culturally rich dinner experience on Monday, May 12, 2025. Pilgrims from Nasarawa and Bauchi States expressed delight as they were served familiar local dishes during their evening meal in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The dinner, provided under the coordination of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), featured semovita accompanied by okro soup and well-seasoned chicken, with a side of orange fruit, bottled water, and a pack of juice. The meal was served at exactly 6:30 p.m., bringing smiles and a sense of comfort to many of the faithful who are thousands of kilometres away from their homeland.
For many of the Nigerian contingents, the availability of traditional dishes during the sacred pilgrimage has added a refreshing sense of belonging and eased the challenge of adjusting to a new environment. Several pilgrims commended the organizers, saying the effort reflects genuine concern for their well-being and a thoughtful consideration of their cultural needs.
NAHCON has in recent years intensified efforts to improve the welfare of pilgrims through improved feeding, accommodation, and medical services, and the 2025 exercise appears to be continuing on that positive trajectory. With over 90,000 Nigerians expected to participate in this year’s pilgrimage, the Commission has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that every pilgrim has a spiritually fulfilling and comfortable experience.
The provision of local dishes, which many pilgrims described as a morale booster, is seen as a strategic move by the Commission to maintain high spirits and strengthen the communal bond among Nigerians during Hajj. As the pilgrimage progresses, more efforts are expected to further enhance the welfare and satisfaction of Nigerian pilgrims across all locations in the holy land.
