Ogun Partners with NAHCON, Names Key Hajj Leadership Team

Governor of Ogun State Prince Dapo Abiodun and Alhaji Shamsudeen Adebayo Apelogun

Ogun Partners with NAHCON, Names Key Hajj Leadership Team

The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved key leadership appointments to spearhead the state’s preparations for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, reinforcing efforts to ensure a seamless and well‑coordinated experience for Muslim pilgrims from the state.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, the governor confirmed the appointment of Alhaji Shamsudeen Adebayo Apelogun — the Asiwaju Adinni of Ogun State and Baba Adinni of Remoland — as the Amirul Hajj for the 2026 pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Apelogun, who also serves as the National President of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Riders and Owners Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), was entrusted with providing spiritual, administrative, and logistical leadership to Ogun pilgrims throughout the Hajj exercise.

In addition, Governor Abiodun approved the appointment of Sheikh Zakariyah Ishaq Olorungbebe as Chairman of the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for the 2026 Hajj operation. As board chair, Sheikh Olorungbebe will coordinate all administrative and operational activities of the welfare board, including pre‑departure orientation, health and safety oversight, and support services for pilgrims before, during, and after the pilgrimage.

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According to the SSG’s release, the appointments are part of a broader, strategic set of preparations by the Ogun State Government to ensure that pilgrims enjoy a hitch‑free and spiritually fulfilling journey. Officials said early leadership designations will help enhance planning, strengthen coordination with federal agencies, and align with nationwide Hajj arrangements coordinated by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Governor Abiodun charged both the Amirul Hajj and the board chairman to carry out their responsibilities with “diligence, integrity, and a high level of commitment,” emphasising that effective leadership and teamwork remain essential for the comfort, safety and spiritual wellbeing of all pilgrims. “The state government reaffirms its commitment to providing necessary support and institutional structures to guarantee a hitch‑free pilgrimage for all intending pilgrims from Ogun State,” the statement said.

The governor also urged the newly appointed leaders to engage closely with health authorities, travel agents, welfare officers, and community stakeholders to ensure that Ogun pilgrims adhere to all religious rites and regulatory requirements set by Saudi Arabian authorities for the 2026 Hajj season.

The early appointment of the Amirul Hajj and welfare board leadership aligns with a trend among several states across Nigeria, which in recent weeks have begun preparations and sensitisation programs for intending pilgrims. State governments typically conduct pre‑Hajj seminars, health briefings, and orientation sessions in collaboration with NAHCON to prepare pilgrims spiritually, mentally, and physically for the rigours of the Hajj journey.

Religious leaders and community groups have welcomed the appointments, describing them as timely and encouraging, given the increasing number of pilgrims registering for the 2026 pilgrimage. They also affirmed that proactive leadership is critical to ensuring that logistical challenges, health concerns, and accommodation arrangements are addressed efficiently.

This development comes as part of broader efforts by the Ogun State Government to strengthen institutional support systems for the Hajj exercise, increase coordination with relevant agencies, and improve welfare services for Muslim pilgrims ahead of the 2026 spiritual journey.