*Photo:Amirul Hajj and Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, Hajiya Aisha Mohammed Usman, presenting the award to Governor Abdullahi Sule*
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has received the 2026 Hajj report and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Gold Award, presented to Nasarawa State as the best performing state in pilgrims welfare during the 2026 Hajj exercise.
Governor Sule was presented with the report and award when he hosted the 2026 Amirul Hajj, Hajiya Aisha Mohammed Usman, the Chairman, Executive Secretary and members of the Nasarawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board at the Government House on Monday.
Receiving the award, the Governor described the recognition as a testament to divine favour, given that Nasarawa State does not rank among states with the highest number of pilgrims, unlike Borno, Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto.
He expressed appreciation to the Amirul Hajj, the Chairman, the Secretary and all officials who worked to make the feat possible, as well as the contractors who secured accommodation and feeding arrangements for the pilgrims.
Governor Sule disclosed that he personally inspects accommodation options for Nasarawa pilgrims during his Umrah visits, noting that this was the second time the state’s pilgrims stayed at the same hotel, but the first time the state clinched the best overall position.
He commended the good conduct of the pilgrims themselves as a contributing factor to the award, recalling that the National Chairman of NAHCON had disclosed that pilgrim behaviour formed part of the criteria for the recognition.
Governor Sule cautioned that sustaining the top position would demand even greater effort going forward.
“The most difficult thing in being number one is to remain number one. Because once you are number one, everybody is shooting at you. Therefore, you are under a lot of pressure,” he said, pledging that the state would continue to prioritise accommodation close to the Haram, which he said reduces fatigue and improves pilgrim conduct.
Presenting the award and the Hajj report, the Amirul Hajj and Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, Hajiya Aisha Mohammed Usman, dedicated the recognition to Governor Sule, describing his personal interest and support for Hajj affairs as the foundation of the achievement.
“The recognition accorded to Nasarawa State by the National Hajj Commission as the overall best performing state in the 2025 Hajj exercise is a remarkable achievement and a sense of immense pride, not only to you, sir, but to the entire state,” she said.
The Amirul Hajj commended the Governor’s intervention in subsidising Hajj fares for pilgrims and providing quality accommodation and feeding, noting that Nasarawa State secured the accommodation nearest to the Haram of any state in Nigeria.
She commended the Secretary of the Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Idris Al-Makura, for his hands-on leadership throughout the exercise, and thanked members of the Board, officials and pilgrims of the 2026 delegation for their cooperation and discipline, which she said contributed to the state’s positive image.
“The recognition from NAHCON is therefore not only an award, it is also a challenge. It places on us the responsibility to sustain and where possible, surpass this standard in subsequent operations,” she said.
The Amirul Hajj described the award as “our FIFA World Cup” for the state, and praying for Governor Sule’s continued strength and wisdom in service to the people of Nasarawa State.