Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has assured the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, of his administration’s commitment to ensuring a smooth and efficient 2025 Hajj exercise.
During a visit to NAHCON Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, in Abuja on Tuesday, Zulum stressed the need for early preparations and better coordination to avoid challenges encountered in previous pilgrimages.
As Chairman of the Northeast Governors’ Forum, he promised to engage fellow governors in the region to facilitate timely payment of fares and compliance with Hajj requirements. He noted that the focus should be on efficiency and meticulous planning rather than the number of pilgrims.
Zulum commended President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima for their support of the commission. He also pointed out key issues from the 2024 Hajj, including overbooking and inadequate arrangements for VIPs, which led to overcrowding in Mina and Arafat.
He urged NAHCON to launch an awareness campaign to educate state governments and intending pilgrims on Hajj arrangements and expectations.
In response, Usman confirmed that 52,000 slots had been secured for Nigerian pilgrims at Masha’ir, along with an additional 15,000 spaces for tour operators and a dedicated allocation for VIPs.
He expressed gratitude for Zulum’s visit and his continued support for the commission’s efforts.
NAN
