*Photo: Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (middle) with members of his delegation and NAHCON’s officials during the fact-finding visit*
The Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila on Wednesday led a high-powered delegation from The Presidency to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) during which he hinted at the reform of the agency.
He was accompanied by, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadeija, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President attached to the Office of the Vice President.
NAHCON is being supervised by the Office of the Vice President.
The Gbajabiamila’s delegation also included the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Engr. Adebiyi, Olusesan Olufunso, and some other top officials from the State House.
They were at NAHCON on a fact-finding mission, nine days after President Bola Tinubu sacked Mallam Jalal Ahmad Arabi as Chairman/CEO of the Commission for alleged corruption and appointed Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as replacement.
The Commissioner of Policy, Personnel Management, and Finance (PPMF), Prince Aliu Abdulrazaq, is however currently overseeing the affairs of the Commission because Prof Usman is yet to resume office as he is awaiting screening and clearance by the Senate.
Speaking during the fact-finding
visit, Gbajabiamila emphasized the need for the Commission to undergo reforms.
He therefore said the fact-finding visit was a step towards reinforcing the Commission and stressed that NAHCON, given its religious significance and the spiritual nature of its mission, must avoid controversies and consistently demonstrate transparency and efficiency.
“This is a commission that should never be found in any controversy simply because of its mandate and what it represents,” he stated.
The Chief of Staff to the President also urged the Commission to prioritize early preparation and efficient organization of Hajj activities, much like countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia. He reminded the Commission of the importance of treating Nigerian pilgrims as ambassadors of the country, ensuring their welfare and organization are top priorities. “You have to accept the responsibility of what goes on in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia,” he added.
Gbajabiamila however commended the NAHCON staff for their dedication and encouraged them to continue to strive for excellence in their service to Nigerian pilgrims. He assured them of government’s readiness to provide the necessary resources and policy backing to facilitate their operations and directed the Commission to formally communicate their needs to the State House.
On his part, the Deputy Chief of Staff said the Commission should focus on clear communication with the general public and the pilgrims, ensuring timely preparations. He also stressed the importance of proper planning to ensure a seamless pilgrimage experience.
The acting head of the Commission, Prince Aliyu Abdulrazaq briefed the delegation on NAHCON’s mandate to enhance Hajj and Umrah services for Nigerian pilgrims.
He also highlighted several challenges faced by the Commission, including but not limited to the need for digitization of the Commission’s accounting and procedural processes.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Planning, Research, Statistics, Information, and Library Services (PRSILS), Professor Abubakar A. Yagawal,
assured the delegation that preparations for the 2025 Hajj had already begun. He acknowledged the Chief of Staff’s concerns and pledged that the Commission would work diligently to avoid the mistakes of the past. He also expressed gratitude for the government’s continued support and commitment to improving Hajj operations.
