Plans have been concluded to host the Hajj–Umrah Nigeria Expo 2026, an international event designed to improve how Hajj and Umrah are planned and delivered in Nigeria, as part of efforts to position the country as a regional centre for faith-based tourism and pilgrimage management.
The expo is scheduled for 28–30 January 2026, at the National Mosque Conference Hall, Abuja, with a Gala and Awards Night billed to hold at the Nicon Luxury Hotel. It is being organised by the Global Business and Investment Partnerships Forum, Nigeria.
Stakeholders are expected to engage the theme, ‘Enhancing the Pilgrimage Experience through Knowledge, Access, Community.’
Expected at the forum are government agencies, private operators, international partners, investors, scholars and intending pilgrims to discuss issues such as governance, service delivery, investment and innovation across the Hajj and Umrah value chain.
The Chairperson and Team Lead, Dr. Aisha Ahmed-Shitu, said the forum is the first comprehensive Hajj–Umrah-focused expo in Nigeria and West Africa, designed to strengthen pilgrim welfare, deepen coordination among institutions, attract investment and boost public–private collaboration in the sector.
Organisers said the expo’s broader vision is to help Nigeria emerge as West Africa’s leading hub for Hajj, Umrah and faith-based tourism – supported by stronger institutions, efficient systems and wider private-sector participation.
Key goals listed for the programme include improving pilgrims’ safety and welfare, supporting policy and regulatory conversations, promoting Shariah-compliant finance, and opening up business opportunities in aviation, hospitality, healthcare, ICT, logistics and tourism services.
Ahmed-Shitu said the event could strengthen Nigeria’s religious diplomacy and bilateral engagements, particularly with Saudi Arabia, while supporting foreign exchange inflows and job creation linked to the pilgrimage economy.
The expo is expected to feature a large exhibition and trade fair involving licenced Hajj and Umrah operators, airlines, hotels, banks, fintech companies, insurers, healthcare providers, ICT firms and logistics companies.
There will also be B2B and government-to-government engagement opportunities, including investor matchmaking and private-sector deal rooms.
Beyond business and policy conversations, organisers said the expo will host Pilgrims’ Education and Awareness Clinics focused on practical concerns such as travel documentation, health and vaccination requirements, financial planning, consumer protection and spiritual preparedness.
A gala and awards ceremony will recognise excellence and innovation within the Hajj and Umrah ecosystem. Proposed award categories include Outstanding Hajj and Umrah Operator, Excellence in Pilgrim Welfare, Best Airline Supporting Pilgrimage, Innovation in Pilgrimage Services, and Institutional and Policy Excellence.
Expected participants include federal and state MDAs, NAHCON, the Saudi Embassy, airlines, licenced tour operators, financial institutions, healthcare providers, ICT and logistics firms, religious leaders and international delegations from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia and across West Africa.
Organisers projected that there will be over 2,000 physical attendees, alongside an estimated 10,000+ digital and media reach, as they position the expo as a long-term platform for reforms, better pilgrim welfare and investment-driven growth in Nigeria’s pilgrimage administration.
