The Like Minds of Ulamah Community Development Association, South-West Nigeria, announced plans on Sunday in Lagos to raise ₦10 billion for the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Hajj Training and Resource Centre. The facility, to be located in Lagos State, will train trainers who will educate intending pilgrims on visa applications, insurance, logistics, welfare, and proper conduct during Hajj. It will include a central mosque, ablution areas, a multipurpose hall, administrative blocks, and a vocational training centre. The launch occurred at a fundraising event themed "Hitch-Free-Hajj: The Spiritual Gain of The Renewed Hope".
Dr Abdullah Ahamad-Jebe, Chairman of the association and Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Islamic Affairs, said the centre would reduce stress and disappointment for pilgrims by equipping them with essential knowledge. He noted that recent improvements in Hajj operations would be further strengthened by the project. Mr Anofiu Elegushi, Commissioner for Operations at the National Hajj Commission, stated that with at least 256 Ulamahs in Lagos, Mecca tour processing has become smoother. Elegushi confirmed that airlifting for the 2026 Hajj pilgrims will begin on May 3.
Naming the centre after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before construction begins suggests political alignment may influence religious infrastructure projects. With Dr Abdullah Ahamad-Jebe holding both a religious leadership role and a government advisory position, the line between civic initiative and political symbolism blurs. Nigerians should consider how public religious projects are framed when key figures occupy dual religious and political offices. The 2026 airlift date provides a clear timeline against which delivery can be measured.
