Abubakar Ahmad Yunus
As Nigerian pilgrims gear up for the 2025 Hajj, one state’s blueprint for effective planning and pilgrim-oriented service delivery is standing out as a model worth emulating. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has continued to demonstrate proactive, people-centred innovation in its Hajj operations, introducing systems that prioritise transparency, early preparation, health, comfort, and spiritual enlightenment.
Setting the Tone with Strategic Engagement
From the outset, the leadership of the FCT Pilgrims Board, under the directorship of Mallam Kadiri Edah, set the tone by embarking on consultations with key stakeholders. This included visits to traditional leaders, Islamic scholars, and media stakeholders such as the Independent Hajj Reporters. These early engagements were aimed at leveraging the grassroots influence of community leaders to sensitize intending pilgrims and foster trust in the board’s activities.
“When I came on board, we started with visitation to major stakeholders like traditional rulers and Islamic scholars, whom we know are of valuable importance to us. They are very close to the pilgrims and as such they will help us in sensitising them,” Mallam Edah explained.
Technology and Transparency in Refunds
In a move that reflects both transparency and accountability, the board established a committee to process refunds for 2023 Hajj pilgrims. The committee required personal submission of key documents such as international passports, NINs, and proof of payment, avoiding third-party submissions. So far, over 1,900 pilgrims have received their refunds, with the rest undergoing verification—a process that reassures stakeholders of the board’s commitment to due diligence.
Early Preparation: Orientation and Logistics
True to its proactive ethos, the board began orientation and material distribution for 2025 pilgrims’ months in advance. Pilgrims have already received travel kits, including 8 KG hand luggage bags, while the board has scheduled practical sessions and health education ahead of airlift dates. The final phase of orientation, focusing on practical rites of Hajj, is slated for April 26 and 27, just days before departure.
Perhaps most notably, the board is innovating the allocation of Makkah accommodation from Nigeria. This new system allows pilgrims to choose their roommates during the orientation process, easing the accommodation burden and enhancing pilgrim satisfaction.
“We want families and friends to stay together and be comfortable. It will reduce the stress on our team in Saudi Arabia,” said Director Edah.
Health First: Medical Screening and Inoculation
The Board also launched early medical screenings and inoculations for all intending pilgrims, ensuring physical and mental fitness for the spiritual journey. The exercise, which began in early April, targets pilgrims from AMAC, Bwari, Kuje, and those under the Hajj Savings Scheme. Vaccinations scheduled for April 19 and 20 will include meningitis, yellow fever, and polio vaccines as required by Saudi health regulations.
Expanding Services: New Umrah Department
In another bold move, the Board established a Department of Umrah Services, a dedicated arm to manage year-round minor pilgrimage (Umrah) operations. The department will develop operational guidelines, respond to pilgrim inquiries, and offer new services that cater to the growing number of Nigerians seeking spiritual experiences outside the Hajj season.
Nutrition and Welfare in Focus
Further raising the bar, the FCT Pilgrims Board announced plans to engage nutrition specialists in Saudi Arabia to prepare healthy meals for pilgrims, tailored to local tastes and dietary needs. This initiative addresses one of the most common challenges faced by pilgrims abroad—meals that are unfamiliar and often unsuitable.
A Model for the Nation
The FCT Pilgrims Welfare Board has woven together innovation, foresight, and empathy to create a comprehensive Hajj preparation model. From early orientation to logistical foresight, stakeholder engagement, and refund transparency, the Board’s proactive steps are earning commendation from observers across the Hajj ecosystem.
As the 2025 Hajj approaches, the FCT’s strategy serves not only its pilgrims but the nation at large, offering a replicable framework for other state boards seeking to elevate the Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims.
Abubakar Ahmad Yunus is a journalist based in Abuja
