By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof.Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has described the 2025 Hajj as very smooth and successful.
Prof.Usman made the remarks while addressing newsmen at his Kano residence shortly after his return from Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
He expressed deep gratitude to Almighty Allah for the successful completion of the Hajj operation that witnessed the safe return of all Nigerian pilgrims.
“We thank the Almighty Allah who made it easy for us, and for our pilgrims, and for leading and supporting them to successfully perform the Hajj and return home safely,” he said.
According to him, the feedback from the pilgrims and high-ranking stakeholders, including members of the National Assembly Committees on Foreign Affairs and Hajj Affairs, attested to the success of the 2025 Hajj.
“This success belongs to Allah. He is the one who blessed this exercise and made it possible for our leaders and pilgrims to return home safely and satisfied. We only executed what was divinely destined,” the chairman said.
He also thanked President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for their unwavering support to the commission.
“We thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his full backing, and the Vice President, Kashim Shettima,under whose office we work directly.
Their guidance and support gave us the strength to work as one team, speak with one voice, and achieve the results we are celebrating today,” he said.
The NAHCON Boss said the commission had learnt valuable lessons from the 2025 Hajj operations and is already building on the experience to ensure an even more seamless Hajj next year.
“We have learnt a lot from this year’s Hajj. Insha Allah, we intend to deliver a better and more efficient operation in 2026,” he assured.
He urged intending pilgrims to begin early registration as Saudi Arabian authorities had announced plans to conclude all preparations for next year’s Hajj within the next two to three months.
“We have received clear instructions from the Saudi authorities that they will not wait for any country to finalize their arrangements late. They want all logistics concluded early.
“We are now seeking approval to announce the Hajj fares for 2026 soon, so we appeal to all Nigerians intending to perform the pilgrimage to register early,” Prof.Usman said.