A Saudi Arabia-based pilgrims service provider, Mashariq Al Dhahabiah Company (Sana), has expressed interest in partnering with the Lagos State Government to enhance service delivery during the 2026 Hajj.
At a meeting held at the company’s office in Makkah on Friday, the firm, represented by its Assistant Chief Executive Officer for the Nigerian Pilgrims Sector, Zuheir Abdullatif Banjabi, and Dr. Tanko Aliyu, sought feedback on areas that required improvement during the just concluded 2025 Hajj exercise—particularly in Mina, Arafat, Musdalifah, and Jamarat.
Responding, Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs and Amir-ul-Hajj, Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode, highlighted key challenges, including poor hotel accommodation in Madinah, inadequate feeding and transportation, lack of toilets, limited VIP areas in tents, and delays in the return airlift of pilgrims.
Layode affirmed the state’s readiness to collaborate with Mashariq in future operations, stressing that the top priority was to ensure qualitative and comfortable services for Lagos pilgrims.
The Amir-ul-Hajj was accompanied by top officials of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, including Secretary AbdulHakeem Ajomagberin; Chairman, Airlifting and Manifest Sub-Committee, Waheed Lolade Shonibare; Director of Operations, Shamsideen Akanni; Director of Public Affairs, Taofeek Lawal; former Board Secretary, Muftau Okoya; Muassasa Liaison, Alhaji Kamar Zubair; and AbdulRazaq Mohammed.
