By Soliu Oyesiji
The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to reposition Nigeria’s Hajj industry as a model of service excellence, transparency and accountability.
Speaking at the Stakeholders’ Summit on the Post-2026 Hajj Review and NAHCON Reform in Abuja on Wednesday, Mahmoud described the summit’s theme, “Repositioning Nigeria’s Hajj Industry as a Model of Service Excellence,” as timely and reflective of the collective commitment to improving Hajj administration in the country.
She said every Nigerian pilgrim deserves a Hajj experience marked by dignity, safety, comfort and professionalism, stressing that achieving this requires meticulous planning, effective coordination and unwavering commitment to service.
The minister commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for convening the summit to critically assess the successes and challenges of the 2026 Hajj, noting that honest evaluation is essential for continuous improvement and institutional reforms.
Mahmoud reaffirmed the commitment of the FCT Administration to initiatives that improve service delivery, adding that collaboration among governments, regulatory agencies, service providers, State Pilgrims Welfare Boards and religious leaders remains vital to achieving lasting reforms.
She urged participants to draw from practical experiences and global best practices to develop recommendations that would provide a sustainable roadmap for enhanced efficiency, accountability, innovation and greater satisfaction for Nigerian pilgrims.
The minister also lauded President Bola Tinubu for supporting institutional reforms and congratulated the organisers for what she described as a laudable initiative aimed at strengthening Hajj administration in Nigeria.
