Shettima Receives 2026 Hajj Report, Commends NAHCON for Successful Operations
Vice President Kashim Shettima has commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for the successful conduct of the 2026 Hajj, saying the commission remains critical to ensuring effective coordination of future pilgrimage operations.
Shettima spoke on Friday in Abuja when he received the comprehensive 2026 Hajj operations report from the NAHCON board, led by its Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf.
The Vice President attributed the success of the 2026 Hajj to the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his timely intervention during a critical period of the exercise.
“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,” Shettima said.
He also commended the NAHCON board, particularly its chairman, for the confidence, capacity and professionalism demonstrated during the exercise.
“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,” the Vice President added.
Shettima noted that Hajj operations are undergoing a significant shift from a government-to-government model to a business-to-business approach, stressing that government would continue to play an important role in ensuring smooth and successful pilgrimage operations.
He said NAHCON would remain central to championing the interests of Nigerian pilgrims and ensuring effective coordination among stakeholders.
Earlier, NAHCON Chairman Ismail Abba Yusuf expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the Vice President for their support, particularly interventions that helped stabilise foreign exchange access, secure Basic Travelling Allowance and mitigate sudden increases in aviation fuel costs.
According to Yusuf, the interventions helped reduce the financial burden on pilgrims and ensured that the Hajj obligation remained accessible despite challenging global economic and geopolitical conditions.
He further credited the Vice President’s leadership and guidance with helping NAHCON strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, resulting in what he described as a successful and seamless operation.
Yusuf said the commission’s efforts covered early preparations, timely airlift and logistical management within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, adding that Nigerian pilgrims were treated with dignity throughout the exercise.
Also present at the report presentation were NAHCON Commissioner of Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance, AbdulRazak Aliu; Commissioner of Operations, Anofi Elegushi; and board members representing the six geopolitical zones, among others.
Shettima Receives 2026 Hajj Report, Commends NAHCON for Successful Operations