**Receives comprehensive 2026 hajj report, attributes success to President Tinubu’s leadership*
Press Release
As global Hajj operations undergo a significant paradigm shift, the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has said the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) remains crucial in ensuring the success of future exercises.
He noted that NAHCON, under its current management, significantly improved operations, resulting in the major successes recorded in 2026.
Senator Shettima made the remarks in Abuja on Friday when he received the comprehensive 2026 Hajj operations report from the NAHCON board, led by its chairman, Amb. Ismail Abba Yusuf.
The visibly impressed Vice President attributed the success of the 2026 exercise to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership and decisive intervention at a critical time during the operations.
His words: “And I must thank Mr President for decisively coming to the rescue of NAHCON. We want to thank him for the support that culminated in such a highly successful and seamless operation.”
Senator Shettima also applauded the leadership of the board, particularly the chairman, for “the confidence and capacity displayed in the last exercise,” urging the board to “continue in the same spirit.
“I am very proud of the NAHCON chairman. He has shown capacity and exhibited a very high sense of professionalism and the willingness to carry on board members,” he added.
On the paradigm shift in Hajj operations from a government-to-government to a business-to-business model, the VP said the role of government remains critical to ensuring a hitch-free operation, noting that NAHCON will continue to play a vital role in championing the cause of a successful Hajj exercise
Earlier, NAHCON Chairman, Alhaji Ismail Abba Yusuf, thanked President Tinubu and the Vice President for their unwavering executive backing, noting that their “critical, compassionate policy interventions, particularly in stabilizing foreign exchange access, securing the basic travelling allowance, and mitigating sudden spikes in aviation fuel significantly relieved the financial burden on a multitude of pilgrims.”
According to him, the timely support 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,” adding that “from early arrangements and timely airlift to logistical management within MACA, Nigerian pilgrims were treated with utmost dignity.”
Also present at the report presentation event were NAHCON’s Commissioner of Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance, Alhaji AbdulRazak Aliu; Commissioner of Operations, Alhaji Anofi Elegushi, and members representing the six geopolitical zones on the board of the commission, among others.
*Stanley Nkwocha*
*Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications*
*(Office of The Vice President)*
*18th September, 2026*
