Rasheeda Yahaya
By Ahmad Muazu
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has one of the toughest, emotionally charged, and logistically staggering mandates in Nigeria. It is not moving packages. It is stewarding the lifelong dreams of thousands of Nigerians to fulfill one of the five pillars of Islam. The variables are immense: international diplomacy, aviation, health, security, accommodation, finance and the spiritual well-being of a massive and, diverse population.
In our current media ecosystem, complex Hajj management systems are not just misunderstood; they are often weaponized. A single logistical hiccup, an isolated complaint, or an anecdote of discomfort is often ripped from its context, amplified and presented as a systemic failure. The narrative is quickly framed as “scandal” or “crisis.” The constant drumbeat of criticism, often labeled as “media smearing,” creates a perverse dynamic, and making it difficult for the public to access accurate and unbiased information.
So, when the noise comes, we must ask the question: What is within NAHCONs control?
We cannot control the headlines. We cannot control the armchair critics who have never negotiated for hotel rooms in a city where demand outstrips supply by millions. We neither can force understanding upon those who refuse to see the scale, nor control the volatility of the forex and the policies of Saudi Arabia.
What we can control is our duty. Our focus. Our virtue in the face of distraction.
NAHCON’s work is not done in the comment sections of the social media, or on the front pages of newspapers. It is done in the meticulous planning meetings, in the tireless coordination with Saudi authorities, in the silent dedication of staff attending to pilgrims in the desert heat of more than 38 degrees. The work is the response. A smoother operation, a better informed and experienced pilgrim, are the only things that matter to us at NAHCON.
For the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, what is within its control is a relentless focus on preparation, negotiation and the welfare of the pilgrims it serves. What is often outside its control is the narrative that forms miles away, crafted by those who face none of the operational pressures. The Nigerian Hajj operation will always be subject to intense, and often unfair, scrutiny in the media. But our response at NAHCON will always be driven by explaining, restraint and maturity. It is part of the job.
The 2025 airlift operation provides a clear case study in improved efficiency under Professor Usman’s management. The evidence points to a period of significant operational improvement and accountability for NAHCON under its current leadership. The combination of record-breaking airlifts, tangible financial refunds, and proactive strategic planning for future challenges presents a strong picture of an organization focused on efficient and effective service delivery for Nigerian pilgrims.
The silent success of a hajj concluded for thousands will never trend on social media. But it is in that silence in the absence of catastrophe, in the quiet dedication to a monumental task that true competence often resides. Before we are so quick to tear down an institution, we should first try to understand the weight it is carrying. In an age of snap judgments, attention grabbing headlines, the most revolutionary act may be to pause and consider the sheer, staggering complexity of the world we are trying to simplify.
The record of each year’s Hajj, the testimonies of successful pilgrims, the incremental improvements, are the enduring legacies that attention should be focused on. The news cycle will forget last week’s story by tomorrow. A well-served pilgrim remembers the experience of a lifetime.
Ahmad Muazu Writes from NAHCON.
