A pilgrims welfare group in South-West Nigeria, the Like Minds of Ulamah Community Development Association, has announced plans to raise ₦10 billion to establish the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Hajj Training and Resource Centre. The disclosure was made during a fundraising programme and lecture held on Sunday in Lagos.
According to the group, the proposed facility will be situated in Lagos State and is designed to serve as a training hub for instructors who will guide intending pilgrims across the South-West region. The initiative is expected to strengthen preparation processes and improve the overall Hajj experience for participants.
The planned centre will include several key facilities such as a central mosque, ablution areas, a multipurpose hall, administrative and logistics offices, and a vocational training unit. These features are intended to provide both spiritual and practical support for pilgrims and their trainers.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the primary goal of the centre is to properly educate intending pilgrims to ensure a smooth and well-coordinated journey. Training programmes will focus on important aspects such as visa processing, travel insurance, logistics planning, welfare arrangements, and appropriate conduct in the Holy Land.
The fundraising event was held under the theme, “Hitch-Free-Hajj: The Spiritual Gain of The Renewed Hope”. The theme highlighted the importance of adequate preparation and spiritual readiness for a successful pilgrimage.
Speaking at the event, Dr Abdullah Ahamad-Jebe, Chairman of the association, explained that the centre would address many of the challenges commonly faced by pilgrims. He noted that stressful and disappointing experiences during Hajj could be significantly reduced through proper education and structured guidance.
Jebe, who also serves as Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Islamic Affairs, stated that the centre would provide intending pilgrims with the essential knowledge required for their journey. He added that the plan involves training selected instructors who will, in turn, educate pilgrims in their respective states, ensuring compliance with all necessary regulations.
Highlighting improvements in recent Hajj operations, he said, “Recent experiences on Hajj operations show that a lot improvements has been accomplished. The coming of the centre will be value addition,” he said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Operations at the National Hajj Commission, Mr Anofiu Elegushi, pointed out that the growing number of Islamic scholars in Lagos has made organising pilgrimages more efficient. He noted that with over 256 Ulamahs in the state, coordination and guidance for pilgrims have improved significantly.
Elegushi further revealed that transportation arrangements for the 2026 Hajj exercise will commence on May 3, marking the beginning of the pilgrimage process for that year.
