The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has reaffirmed its commitment to staff development and operational excellence as preparations intensify for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
On Thursday, the Commission held the second edition of its Monthly In-House Lecture and Training Series at the Hajj House, Abuja, focusing on key aspects of Hajj and Umrah operations. The hybrid session drew participation from both headquarters staff and those in Zonal and Outreach Offices who joined virtually via Zoom.
This month’s lecture, themed “The Role of the National Reception Team in Successful Hajj Operation,” was facilitated by Mr. Gowon Omagbogu, with contributions from seasoned panelists across critical Hajj operation units.
Representing the NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Alhaji Alidu Shutti, conveyed the Chairman’s goodwill and reaffirmed that continuous staff training remains central to NAHCON’s strategic vision.
He emphasized that the in-house training is designed to enhance staff competence, promote interdepartmental collaboration, and strengthen institutional readiness for the forthcoming pilgrimage. He added that the lecture contents would form part of future staff promotional examinations, underscoring management’s seriousness about the initiative.
Alhaji Shutti noted that the training would also equip staff participating in the upcoming pre-Hajj trip to Saudi Arabia, during which NAHCON is expected to sign the 2026 Hajj Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The delegation will also attend the World Hajj and Umrah Symposium and conclude agreements with service providers responsible for pilgrims’ accommodation, feeding, and transportation.
The session was moderated by Professor Gabadeen, Deputy Rector (Academics) of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN), who commended the Commission’s proactive approach to staff development. He urged participants to leverage the knowledge shared for both personal growth and institutional advancement.
The discussion highlighted the critical functions of the National Reception Team, emphasizing early planning, teamwork, and inter-agency coordination as essential ingredients for smooth pilgrims’ reception and deployment during the Hajj.
Through the Monthly In-House Lecture Series, NAHCON continue to strengthen internal capacity, foster professionalism, and sustain its commitment to delivering a transparent, efficient, and spiritually fulfilling 2026 Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims.
