Ex-commissioner hails NAHCON’s guidelines on Hajj
…leads 340 pilgrims to the Holy Land for Hajj 2026 The former Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Abdulhakeem AbdulLateef, has commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON)
…leads 340 pilgrims to the Holy Land for Hajj 2026
The former Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Abdulhakeem AbdulLateef, has commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for its guidelines on this year’s Hajj.
Dr AbdulLateef, who is leading 340 pilgrims, including 90 from the diaspora, to the Holy Land, reaffirmed compliance with NAHCON guidelines and Saudi operational requirements.
These include digital registration via the Nusuk platform, allocation of Rawdah visitation slots, and strict adherence to crowd-control systems.
He described Saudi Arabia’s “No Hajj Permit, No Hajj” policy as an important reform that enhances safety, prevents overcrowding, and ensures the orderly movement of pilgrims.
“I fully support the policy because it helps prevent stampedes and enhances the smooth movement of pilgrims,” he said.
AbdulLateef, who served as Lagos State’s Amirul Hajj for over five years, stated that all pilgrims under his coordination have been registered on the Nusuk application and have selected designated time slots for the sacred rites to ensure convenience and compliance.
Popularly known as Honourable Iyepe, the former Chairman of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), said his firm’s operations reflect months of structured planning, religious orientation, and strict compliance with regulatory frameworks issued by NAHCON and Saudi authorities.
According to him, all Hajj visas and flight tickets have been secured, with airlift operations scheduled to commence on Monday in multiple batches using Qatar Airways, Egypt Air, and Emirates.
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He said the staggered departure arrangement was designed to reduce congestion, ensure orderliness, and allow smooth settlement of pilgrims upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.
He added that 90 pilgrims from the diaspora will join the group in Madinah, making the operation a transnational coordination effort.
Dr AbdulLateef noted that managing 340 pilgrims is modest compared with his past experience as Amirul Hajj for Lagos State, where he once led over 4,000 pilgrims in successful Hajj operations.
He recalled that under his leadership, Lagos State was recognised as the most outstanding state in Hajj operations in Nigeria, winning seven out of eight national awards from NAHCON.
“Generally, we see 340 pilgrims as a great trial from Allah. It is not easy to coordinate 50 pilgrims, let alone 340. However, I once took over 4,000 pilgrims to Hajj when I was Amirul Hajj for Lagos State,” he said.
He added that the experience gained from years of public service, including his roles as Board Member and Chairman of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, has strengthened his capacity for large-scale coordination.
