By Shafi’i Sani Muhammed
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Thursday, 30th October, 2025, held the second edition of its Monthly In-House Lecture/Training Series on key Hajj and Umrah operational matters, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to staff capacity development and institutional strengthening in preparation for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The training, organized by the Training and Staff Development Section under the Administration and Human Resources Department, took place at the Conference Hall of the Hajj House, Abuja, with staff of the Headquarters attending physically, while participants from the Zonal and Outreach Offices joined virtually via Zoom.
This month’s lecture focused on the theme: “The Role of the National Reception Team in Successful Hajj Operation.” The session was facilitated by Mr. Gowon Omagbogu, with a panel of discussants comprising Abdulrahman Muhammad (PPMC), Ummi Waziri Hassan (Accommodation), Nurudeen Omowale Hammed (C&C), and Sadiq Abubakar Sani A. (Pilgrims’ Release).
In his remarks, the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Alhaji Alidu Shutti, who represented the NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, conveyed the Chairman’s warm regards to staff and explained that the in-house training initiative forms part of NAHCON’s strategic vision to improve operational efficiency, foster interdepartmental collaboration, and ensure the Commission’s workforce remains adequately equipped for the challenges of the forthcoming Hajj operations.
He urged staff to approach the lectures with utmost seriousness and sincerity, noting that the Chairman has approved the continuation of the training on a monthly basis, and that contents from the presentations will form part of future staff promotional examinations.
Alhaji Shutti further noted that the lecture would enhance the preparedness of staff participating in the upcoming Pre-Hajj trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where NAHCON is expected to sign the 2026 Hajj Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and also attend the World Hajj and Umrah Symposium. The team will, in addition, conclude agreements with key service providers and companies responsible for accommodation, feeding, transportation, and other essential services for Nigerian pilgrims.
Similarly, Professor Gabadeen, Deputy Rector (Academics), Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN), moderated the panel session, ensuring smooth coordination between the panelists and the audience. He encouraged staff to take full advantage of the training, emphasizing that its educative content would contribute to both their personal and professional growth.
The session provided participants with practical insights into the coordination and operational roles of the National Reception Team, underscoring the importance of early planning, teamwork, and strong inter-agency collaboration in ensuring a seamless pilgrims’ reception process during Hajj operations.
The Monthly In-House Lecture Series continues to serve as one of NAHCON’s major internal capacity-building platforms enhancing professionalism, promoting knowledge sharing, and reinforcing the Commission’s determination to deliver a transparent, efficient, and spiritually fulfilling 2026 Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims.