Hadiza's Blog

  According to estimates, 50 percent of Nigeria’s 25 million estimated People with Disabilities are women and girls   Photo: Hadiza Abdulrahman / Canva On one occasion, Bilikisu Yakubu, a disability rights advocate and wheelchair user, visited a hospital in Abuja. Exhausted from the long wait, she dozed off, unaware it was her turn to be attended to. When she finally woke up, the place was silent; everyone had been attended to and had left. No one woke her up or said anything to her. She observed that the hospital had no sign language interpreter, no visual notification system, and no staff support, making it clear the facility was not disability friendly. “I was just left there,” she said. “They don’t know how to relate with people with disabilities.” Bilikisu’s experience is not isolated. Many women and girls with disabilities in Nigeria continue to face discrimination, neglect, and stigma, especially when seeking sexual and reproductive health services. ...

By Hadiza Abdulrahman  The Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) Division of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has meet with representatives of TAJ Bank to explore the development of a digital platform that will streamline Hajj registration and savings for intending pilgrims. According to NAHCON Information Officer, Abdul-Basit Abba, the session brought together key technical stakeholders from both institutions to deliberate on how to deliver a secure and user-friendly application that caters to pilgrims across the country. It explained that the Commission emphasised the importance of an inclusive platform that serves the diverse needs of prospective pilgrims nationwide. Both parties agreed on a framework for next steps, including drafting implementation timelines, defining roles, and holding follow-up sessions to monitor progress. The TAJ Bank team, comprising Sadiq, Abdulhakim Abdul, Na’ir Garba, and Yusuf shared insights into the bank’s capacity to develop a robu...

By Hadiza Abdulrahman  The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has invited pilgrims and stakeholders to submit complaints, comments, or suggestions regarding services rendered during the 2025 Hajj and Umrah operations. This call for feedback is part of the Commission’s ongoing review of this year’s pilgrimage activities, aimed at improving the experience for Nigerian pilgrims. According to a statement by the Commission: INVITATION TO REGISTER COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS ON SERVICES RENDERED DURING THE 2025 HAJJ AND UMRAH OPERATIONS In furtherance of its statutory functions "to regulate, supervise and perform oversight functions over organizations associations or similar bodies engaged in organizing and coordinating the movement of pilgrims to perform Hajj and umrah", the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) wishes to inform members of the general public that the Commission has commenced the review of the year 2025 Hajj and Umrah activities. The Commission...

By Hadiza Abdulrahman  The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman , has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari , describing it as a monumental loss to the nation. According to Professor Usman, the death of the former President is coming at a time when the country is also mourning the loss of prominent industrialist and philanthropist Alhaji Aminu Dantata  is a solemn reminder of the inevitability of death and the need for younger generations to prepare themselves for leadership roles rooted in integrity, honesty, foresight, and a clear vision for Nigeria’s future. He noted that both Buhari and Dantata embodied distinct values that should inspire the youth to pursue national prosperity with purpose and principle. The former President, he said, commanded mass respect and loyalty due to his well-known personal discipline, honesty, and integrity. Professor Usman further described Alhaji A...

  By Hadiza Abdulrahman  The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, says the Commission is fully prepared for the 2026 Hajj and has assured that it will be even more successful than this year’s operations. He called on intending pilgrims to register early, noting that the Saudi authorities have indicated plans to commence preparations much earlier. Speaking to journalists in Kano following his return from the 2025 pilgrimage, Professor Saleh stressed the importance of cooperation and timely registration to ensure a smoother process. He also expressed profound gratitude to Almighty Allah for the successful conduct of the 2025 Hajj, describing the achievement as the result of divine grace and collective effort. “Our success in this year’s Hajj is by the grace of Allah. It is not mine, nor is it solely NAHCON’s it is Allah who blessed this exercise and guided us all through it,”  Professor Saleh also highlighted the ...

  The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has successfully concluded the return airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking the end of the 2025 Hajj exercise. According to a statement by the Commission’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Usara, the final return flight took off from Jeddah on Wednesday, transporting approximately 87 pilgrims back to Kaduna State. NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullah Saleh Usman, expressed deep gratitude to Allah for a smooth and successful Hajj operation. He credited the achievement to the unity and cooperation displayed by State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, airline operators, service providers, and the discipline of the pilgrims who adhered to established guidelines. Professor Usman encouraged the returning pilgrims to continue praying for Nigeria’s progress and to remember the country’s leaders in their prayers. He further assured that the Commission remains committed to improving its servic...

  By Hadiza Abdulrahman  The Disability Rights Advocacy Centre (DRAC) has reiterated the urgent need for inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services for women and girls with disabilities.  This call was made during the close-out and dissemination meeting of the WeLead project in Abuja, where key stakeholders gathered to review the achievements and lessons learned from the initiative.  The project, which focused on amplifying the voices and leadership of young women with disabilities, was implemented in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Benue state. At the heart of the WeLead project was advocacy intensified efforts to raise awareness about SRHR among marginalized groups, particularly women and girls with disabilities. According to  Balqis Amoo , Programme Officer at DRAC, the initiative prioritized equipping these right-holders with the knowledge and tools to demand their rights.  Through school outreaches and community sensiti...