By Queen Kunde
As Nigeria sets its sights on a seamless 2025 Hajj season, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has officially begun preparations with the inauguration of a seven-member Hajj Ministerial Committee.
Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud inaugurated the committee during a ceremony at her office on Monday, urging members to display “dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment” to ensuring the welfare of FCT pilgrims undertaking the sacred Islamic journey to Saudi Arabia.
“This year, we are guided by three key pillars: efficiency, transparency, and safety,” Mahmoud stated. “The Hajj pilgrimage is not just a trip—it is one of the most significant spiritual obligations for Muslims. Every intending pilgrim from the FCT must be treated with the utmost dignity and care.”
The newly constituted committee is chaired by Dr. Abdullahi Kauranmata, the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of State on Administration and Strategy. Other members represent key institutions and communities across the FCT, including the traditional and religious sectors, the FCT Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, and the Directorate of Audit and Funds.
The committee’s Terms of Reference include overseeing and coordinating all Hajj operations from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia and back, ensuring the safety, security, and welfare of FCT pilgrims throughout the exercise, and guiding adherence to updated Saudi regulations and policies for the 2025 pilgrimage.
Mahmoud also stressed the importance of learning from past challenges. “We expect this committee to anticipate and address issues proactively,” she said, adding that the group will be required to submit a comprehensive report with recommendations at the end of the exercise.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Dr. Kauranmata described the assignment as a “sacred trust” and pledged to elevate the standard of Hajj operations from the FCT.
“We are not merely organizing logistics; we are facilitating a spiritual journey that carries deep personal and religious significance,” he said. “Our goal is to make the FCT contingent a model for Hajj operations nationwide.”
He called on the FCT Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board and other stakeholders to collaborate closely with the committee, emphasizing the need for “open dialogue, innovation, and a shared commitment to excellence.”
In addition to Dr. Kauranmata, the committee includes:
- Muhammad Haruna Aris – Director of Funds, FCT
- Danlami Ibrahim – Deputy Director, Audit
- HRH Awwal Musa Ijkoro – Representative of the Traditional Institution
- Mal. Mudan Umar Bebeji – Representative of the Ulamas
- Hajiya Jamila Aliko Maishanu – Community Representative
- Na’Allah Ado – Assistant Director, FCT Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board (Secretary)
The committee is expected to begin work immediately, with a timeline tied to the Saudi Arabian Hajj calendar and key milestones in the international coordination process.
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