Full Text: NAHCON Chairman’s Address at 2nd National Hajj Stakeholders Summit in Abuja

BEING AN OPENING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN/CEO, NATIONAL HAJJ COMMISSION OF NIGERIA (NAHCON), PROFESSOR ABDULLAHI SALEH USMAN AT THE 2ND NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS SUMMIT OF NIGERIA’S HAJJ AND UMRAH INDUSTRY HOLDING AT NICON LUXURY HOTEL, ABUJA ON THE 30TH APRIL, 2025.

PROTOCOLS

Your Excellency,
Senator Kashim Shettima (GCON) Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria. Your Excellency, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (CON)Honourable Minister, Federal Capital Territory.

Your Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar (CFR, MNI) Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. Distinguished Senator Abubakar Sani Bello Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs. Hon. Jafaru Muhammad Alli Chairman, House Committee on Hajj Affairs. Your Excellency, Mr. Faisal Ibrahim AlGhamidy Ambassador of Saudi Arabia. Haruna Musa, Ph.D. Managing Director/CEO, Jaiz Bank plc.

Commissioners and Board members of NAHCON, Chairman, Forum of States Pilgrims Welfare Boards/Agencies/Commissions,
Leadership of Tour Operators, Leadership of Civil Society Organizations, Ladies and Gentlemen of various media organizations.

It is a great honour and privilege to address you today at this annual summit of stakeholders in the Hajj and Umrah industry. This occasion marks my first as Chairman/CEO of NAHCON and the second in the series dedicated to enhancing Hajj operations in Nigeria. I commend the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN) for organizing this vital program. I also sincerely appreciate Jaiz Bank plc for their generous co-sponsorship. Other non-interest financial institutions that are supporting the NAHCON Hajj summit series are also appreciated.

This summit provides a crucial platform for us, as key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, to collectively examine and address matters vital to the sustainable future of Hajj operations in Nigeria — a significant religious obligation and considerable socio-economic undertaking. Your presence here underscores the shared responsibility we all bear in ensuring the success of the 2025 Hajj.

The theme for this year’s summit, “Sustainable Hajj Financing: Developing a Resilient Model for Nigerian Pilgrims and Operators,” is both timely and pertinent. The Hajj industry faces increasing pressures, from fluctuating foreign exchange rates and rising service costs to evolving regulatory landscapes. These challenges have made the pilgrimage increasingly expensive for our Nigerian brothers and sisters. Therefore, developing resilient and sustainable financial models is no longer an option but a necessity to guarantee affordability, efficiency, and integrity in Hajj operations.

At NAHCON, we have embraced this responsibility with courage and commitment. I am pleased to report a significant milestone in our sustainability drive: the successful onboarding of three additional partner banks into the Hajj Savings Scheme, Alternative Bank, TAJ Bank, and Lotus Bank.

This expansion is not just symbolic — it is strategic. These institutions bring with them innovative, ethical, and non-interest financial solutions tailored to the needs of intending pilgrims. Their inclusion reinforces our Hajj Savings Scheme, giving more Nigerians the opportunity to plan their pilgrimage with convenience, foresight, and financial discipline.

With these banks now on board, we are widening the reach of the Hajj Savings Scheme, promoting financial inclusion, and laying a strong foundation for a sustainable Hajj financing model.

Our keynote speaker, Dr. Mansur Muhtar, former Vice President of the Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah, former Minister of Finance and current Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Industry, brings a wealth of experience in finance. We also have respected lead discussants: Bashir M. Bugaje, Chairman of the NAHCON Committee on Hajj Savings Scheme; Dr. Muhammad Ahmad of the Central Bank of Nigeria; and Professor Wasiu O. Gadaeen of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria. I am confident that this summit will provide practical administrative and operational frameworks for Hajj financing in Nigeria.

Looking ahead, NAHCON, in its role as the regulator of Hajj affairs in Nigeria and the Hajj mission for our pilgrims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is fully prepared for the 2025 Hajj operations. The Federal Government of Nigeria has licensed four airlines for the airlift of over 40,000 pilgrims, excluding more than 14,000 traveling with tour operators. The inaugural flight is scheduled for May 9th, 2025, and with the grace of Allah (in sha Allah), we anticipate seamless operations. We are united in our commitment to provide effective and efficient services to the respected guests of Allah (Duyufur-Rahman), thereby reinforcing the renewed hope for Nigerian pilgrims.

I assure all major stakeholders that NAHCON, under my leadership, is dedicated to fostering strong partnerships, collaborations, and teamwork to ensure the success of the 2025 Hajj operations.

At this point, I must express my sincere gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and my principal, the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima (GCON), for their continuous support and timely interventions in resolving the challenges of this year’s Hajj, including the significant provision of Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) in cash, which provided great relief to pilgrims, operators, and the regulator.

My profound appreciation also goes to His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar (CFR, MNI), the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, for his consistent guidance to the leadership of NAHCON.

I also extend my sincere appreciation to Jaiz Bank for their commendable Corporate Social Responsibility in sponsoring this crucial program of NAHCON and the Hajj Institute.

I wish to humbly acknowledge the dedication and selfless service of my Commissioners of PPFM, PRSIILS and OIL, the Board members, Forum of States Pilgrim Welfare Boards, and the entire staff of NAHCON in ensuring the success of the upcoming 2025 Hajj operations.

Finally, I wish to sincerely thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the confidence reposed in me by granting me the opportunity to serve and lead the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria. I do not take this trust for granted, and I pledge to give my very best in delivering on this mandate, with dedication, transparency, and the fear of Allah as my guide.

Wassalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman
Chairman/CEO, NAHCON

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