Vice President Kashim Shettima has attributed the success of Nigeria’s 2026 Hajj operations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decisive interventions, saying the Federal Government’s support helped the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) deliver a seamless exercise.
Shettima spoke yesterday in Abuja when he received the comprehensive report of the 2026 Hajj operations from the NAHCON board, led by its Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf.
The Vice President said the commission demonstrated renewed capacity and professionalism during the exercise, noting that NAHCON would remain critical to Nigeria’s Hajj administration despite the ongoing transition in Saudi Arabia from the traditional government-to-government arrangement to a business-to-business model.
He particularly commended President Tinubu for intervening at a critical stage of preparations and operations to address challenges confronting the commission and Nigerian pilgrims.
‘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 praised the NAHCON leadership, particularly Yusuf, for what he described as the confidence and capacity demonstrated during the exercise.
According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said the commission’s management displayed professionalism and an ability to work collectively with its board and other stakeholders.
‘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 said.
He urged the commission to sustain the momentum as preparations for future Hajj exercises begin, particularly against the backdrop of fundamental changes being introduced into the organisation of the pilgrimage.
Shettima said although Hajj operations were increasingly moving from a government-to-government framework to a business-to-business model, government institutions would continue to have an important role in protecting the interests of Nigerian pilgrims and ensuring hitch-free exercises.
He said NAHCON would consequently remain central to coordinating stakeholders and championing Nigeria’s interests within the evolving Hajj management system.
Earlier, Yusuf said the successful conduct of the 2026 pilgrimage was made possible by the executive support provided by President Tinubu and the Vice President, particularly measures aimed at cushioning pilgrims from financial and logistical pressures.
He said the administration’s ‘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 the NAHCON chairman, the interventions helped keep the pilgrimage accessible to Nigerians despite difficult international economic conditions and geopolitical uncertainties that posed challenges to Hajj planning and operations.
Yusuf also credited Shettima’s direct leadership and guidance with strengthening coordination among agencies and other stakeholders involved in the exercise.
He said the commission was able to ‘harmonize collaboration across stakeholders to deliver what has been widely adjudged as a highly successful, seamless operation.’
‘From early arrangements and timely airlift to logistical management within MACA, Nigerian pilgrims were treated with utmost dignity,’ he added.
The presentation of the comprehensive report formally reviewed NAHCON’s management of the 2026 exercise and came as the commission turns attention to future pilgrimages under the changing operational framework.
Also at the meeting were NAHCON Commissioner of Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance, Alhaji AbdulRazak Aliu; Commissioner of Operations, Alhaji Anofi Elegushi; members representing the six geopolitical zones on the commission’s board and other officials.