•Hajj pilgrims
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has inaugurated the Aviation Monitoring Committee for the 2026 Hajj operations.
The inauguration, which took place at the Commission’s Board Room, Hajj House, Abuja, marked the formal commencement of preparations for the aviation component of next year’s pilgrimage.
In a statement by the Technical Assistant (Media) to the Chairman, Ahmad Muazu, today, Usman described the committee as a functional and non-decorative body.
He said the committee reflected NAHCON zero-tolerance for failure and its commitment to ensuring the comfort, safety, and welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.”For the Nigerian Government, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, facilitating this spiritual journey for its citizens is not just a statutory duty; it is a sacred trust. We are committed to ensuring that every Nigerian pilgrim performs their Ibadah in comfort and safety”, he said.
While acknowledging the steady improvement in the Commission’s airlift logistics, he said that aviation remains the most sensitive and visible component of Hajj operations.
He observed that the Committee is not a decorative body but “the gatekeepers entrusted with monitoring aviation matters to ensure pilgrims’ welfare.
In his welcome remarks, the Commissioner of Operations and Licensing, Prince Anofi Olanrewaju Elegushi, thanked the Chairman for the confidence reposed in the committee and pledged the team’s unwavering dedication to its mandate.
The committee’s Terms of Reference include reviewing and evaluating documents submitted by applicant airlines and cargo carriers, assessing the readiness of designated airports, monitoring outbound and inbound flights, and ensuring compliance with luggage policies and industry standards.
It is also empowered to recommend sanctions against defaulting carriers or state pilgrims’ welfare boards, and liaise with relevant security committees when necessary.
Usman urged the members to discharge their duties with integrity, patriotism, and professionalism, reminding them that “the eyes of millions of Nigerian Muslims are upon them.”
He expressed confidence in their expertise and described the assignment as a sacred duty toward the success of the 2026 Hajj operations.
