Professor Abdullahi Usman, the newly appointed Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has shared his vision and priorities in his first interview since assuming office.
The interview conducted by DCL in Hausa was transcribed in English for non-Hausa speaking Muslims. Prof Usman addresses key issues, including refunds, government subsidies, and the cost of Hajj, providing a glimpse into his leadership style and commitment to transparency and pilgrims’ comfort. Excerpt of the interview
On Refund Policy, ensuring fairness
The chairman emphasized that the commission is working on resolving the refund issue, which recently arose possibly 140 to 150SR. “We are working on the issue of refund. The issue just came up recently; we have to work out the modalities for refund of all pilgrims concerned,” he explained. He assured that any overpayment made by pilgrims will be refunded, stating, “Whatever services procured, if there was any overpayment, we will refund the pilgrims.” This move demonstrates the commission’s dedication to fairness and accountability.
No Government Subsidy: Planning for Self-Sufficiency
Prof Usman urged stakeholders not to rely on government subsidies, instead encouraging them to plan within their means. “We should not expect it; we have to plan for what we can afford,” he advised. He emphasized that the commission will execute all Hajj services with integrity and transparency, driven by the fear of God.
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Prioritizing Pilgrims’ Comfort
He highlighted the importance of pilgrims’ comfort, saying, “The feeding and accommodation at Mina, Arafat must be such that the pilgrims’ comfort and satisfaction is the priority.” He added, “Our intent is to prepare the ground for a comfortable Hajj exercise for all pilgrims. That is our priority. We know that if we give them comfort, we will also be comfortable on the Day of Judgment.”
Cost of Hajj: Containing Expenses
To alleviate concerns about a potential increase in Hajj costs, the chairman reassured that the commission is working to prevent prices from reaching N10 million. “We are working towards not having an increase… We don’t want it to hit N10 million,” he said. He also guaranteed refunds for any overpayments made by pilgrims, encouraging intending pilgrims to start paying promptly.
Leadership and Cooperation
When asked about his feelings on being appointed, the chairman expressed gratitude and humility, acknowledging the trust placed in him. “I was very happy merely because I was chosen among millions of other Nigerians,” he said. He attributed his selection to his successful leadership during the 2019 Hajj operations in Kano and recognized the importance of staff cooperation in achieving success.
A Call for Prayer and Support
The chairman humbly requested prayers and support from the Muslim community, saying, “Before my appointment was announced, the President really engaged me in discussion asking me if I could hold this amanah (trust)… My response was that I pray Allah to make it easy for me. I therefore beg all Muslims in the country to supplicate and beg Allah on my behalf to make the job easy and make this herculean task successful for me.”
With this new leadership, NAHCON is poised to prioritize pilgrims’ comfort, transparency, and accountability, ensuring a successful and spiritually fulfilling Hajj experience for all.
