2025 HAJJ: NIGERIAN PILGRIMS TO ENJOY HIGH-QUALITY, NUTRITIOUS MEALS, NAHCON ASSURES
By: Sefiu Ajape
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has pledged that Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2025 Hajj will receive high-quality, nutritious, and culturally appropriate meals, supported by a strict monitoring system for catering services in Madinah.
This assurance was given by the Head of the Commission’s Medina Feeding Committee, Alhaji Abdullahi Kabir, during an inspection of the seven catering companies contracted to serve over 17,000 Nigerian pilgrims currently in the holy city.
In a statement issued on Friday by the committee’s Public Affairs Officer, Malam Ahmad Muazu, Kabir emphasized that, “As more than 17,000 Nigerian pilgrims already arrive in Medina for the 2025 Hajj, NAHCON has implemented a rigorous oversight system to ensure consistent quality in its extensive feeding operation.”
He noted that the inspection exercise covered various aspects of quality control, starting with the evaluation of food ingredients to ensure they meet nutritional requirements before cooking and distribution.
“They scrutinise expiration dates on every packaged item, from spices to preserved goods, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for expired products,” he noted.
Beyond that, NAHCON has mandated the exclusive use of natural ingredients, strictly banning artificial flavour enhancers and preservatives to preserve the nutritional value and authenticity of meals.
“Additionally, inspectors verify strict adherence to NAHCON’s mandate for natural ingredients, prohibiting artificial flavour enhancers and preservatives that could compromise the nutritional value or authenticity of traditional Nigerian dishes,” Kabir emphasized.
According to him, the seven inspected kitchens — Africana Home Restaurant, Amjad Alghraa, Al-Andalus, Mawasim Khairat, Na’a Azad, Zowar Muktara, and Kabala Catering — were evaluated based on sanitation, equipment functionality, and staff efficiency.
Importantly, the inspections also ensured that Nigerian cooks and support staff were employed in the kitchens, reinforcing both cultural authenticity and job creation.
“The continuous monitoring of every aspect of the feeding programme demonstrates an institutional commitment that extends beyond mere sustenance to encompass dignity and cultural respect,” Kabir added.
During a meeting with food service providers, Madinah Coordinator, Alhaji Abdulkadir Oloyin, also addressed packaging concerns, issuing a strong directive.
“The use of substandard containers is categorically unacceptable,” Oloyin warned.
He instructed all providers to adopt uniform packaging that not only ensures food safety but also enhances the pilgrims’ dining experience.
Recall that the 2025 Hajj airlift operation commenced on May 9, 2025, as announced by NAHCON in collaboration with State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards.
According to the latest update retrieved by our correspondent from the agency’s website on Friday, May 16, 2025, over 17,000 pilgrims have been airlifted to Madinah.
Some of the earlier arrivals arrived in Mecca from Madinah on Thursday,
This marked the beginning of the transportation of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the annual pilgrimage.
The airlift operation has since gathered momentum, with multiple outbound flights facilitating the journey of thousands of pilgrims to the holy land.
