The Afro-Arab Youth Council, West Africa Secretariat, has pledged to collaborate with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to strengthen public advocacy, pilgrim welfare, and citizen participation in pilgrimage administration.

AAYC West Africa coordinator, Akoshile Mukhtar, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja following a courtesy visit to NAHCON chairman, Ismail Yusuf.

Mr Mukhtar said that the visit formed part of the council’s broader mandate to build bridges between public institutions and citizens across Africa and the Arab world.

According to him, the AAYC seeks to complement government efforts by amplifying policies, encouraging public understanding, and providing constructive feedback to improve service delivery.

”The Afro-Arab Youth Council exists to promote peace, development, youth empowerment, and strategic partnerships. One of our core objectives is to provide a bridge between government institutions and the people by communicating policies in a manner that encourages public participation,” he said.

He praised NAHCON’s leadership for ensuring smooth, hitch-free hajj operations over the years.

Mr Mukhtar said that the council was ready to deploy its extensive youth network across West Africa and the wider Afro-Arab region to support NAHCON’s public enlightenment initiatives and showcase its achievements.

Responding, the NAHCON chairman highlighted the commission’s mandate to deliver safe, seamless, and spiritually fulfilling hajj operations for Nigerian pilgrims participating annually, making it one of Africa’s largest pilgrimage operations.

He said that NAHCON worked closely with a diverse spectrum of stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, aviation operators, the Central Bank of Nigeria, healthcare professionals, state pilgrims’ welfare boards, and private tour operators.

He said that government support extended well beyond transportation and logistics to include comprehensive medical assistance in the field and consular support through the Nigerian consulate in Jeddah for pilgrims encountering challenges in Saudi Arabia.

The NAHCON boss also highlighted the commission’s productive relationship with the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission in sharing information and refining pilgrimage governance nationwide.

Welcoming the proposed collaboration, Mr Yusuf described young people as the bedrock of Africa’s development and essential partners in policy advocacy.

”Youth constitute the largest demographic in Nigeria and Africa. Their participation in governance and development initiatives is indispensable to building stronger institutions. We are deeply encouraged by AAYC’s interest in partnering with us,” Mr Yusuf said.

(NAN)