Nigeria’s commitment to deepening global cooperation on Hajj administration was again reaffirmed as the Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, led a delegation to the 2025 Grand Hajj Symposium held in Jeddah.
The high-profile gathering, hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, convened policymakers, scholars, and Hajj administrators from around the world to deliberate on innovations, challenges, and shared responsibilities in managing the annual pilgrimage.
Professor Usman, accompanied by the Commissioner of Operations, the Secretary to the Commission, NAHCON’s Deputy Coordinator in Makkah, and the Saudi Liaison Officer, represented Nigeria’s interests at the symposium. The delegation engaged in key sessions focused on improving pilgrims’ welfare, enhancing logistics through digital platforms, and ensuring health and safety standards in line with global best practices.
Speaking during one of the plenary sessions, Prof Usman commended Saudi Arabia’s efforts in streamlining pilgrimage operations through digital integration such as the Nusuk platform. He noted that Nigeria remains committed to strengthening its own Hajj infrastructure, and emphasized ongoing reforms in pilgrims’ screening, biometric enrolment, and inter-agency coordination.
“Our participation in this symposium is part of Nigeria’s drive to ensure that every pilgrim enjoys a seamless spiritual experience. We are not just observers; we are collaborators in the global effort to improve the sacred journey,” Prof Usman stated.
The NAHCON team also held bilateral talks with officials from other Hajj missions and agencies, focusing on mutual learning, operational partnerships, and real-time service delivery enhancements for Nigerian pilgrims.
This year’s Grand Hajj Symposium comes at a critical time as nations recalibrate their pilgrimage systems post-pandemic. For Nigeria, it signals a forward-looking agenda under Professor Usman’s leadership to digitize Hajj operations, professionalize service delivery, and protect the rights and dignity of all intending pilgrims.
The 2025 Hajj pilgrimage is expected to attract over 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims, and NAHCON has continued to assure stakeholders of its readiness to deliver a more organised and spiritually fulfilling experience.
