Abuja will host the Hajj–Umrah Nigeria Expo 2026, an international gathering aimed at improving the planning and delivery of Hajj and Umrah services in Nigeria and positioning the country as a regional hub for faith-based tourism.
The three-day event is scheduled for January 28–30, 2026, at the National Mosque Conference Hall, with a Gala and Awards Night set to hold at the Nicon Luxury Hotel. It is being organised by the Global Business and Investment Partnerships Forum (GBIPF), Nigeria.
Organisers say the expo will convene government agencies, private operators, international partners, investors, scholars and intending pilgrims under the theme, “Enhancing the Pilgrimage Experience through Knowledge, Access, Community.”
Chief Organiser, Dr. Aisha Ahmed-Shitu, described the event as the first comprehensive Hajj–Umrah-focused expo in Nigeria and West Africa, designed to strengthen pilgrim welfare, improve institutional coordination, attract investment and deepen public–private collaboration across the sector.
According to the organisers, the broader goal is to support Nigeria’s emergence as West Africa’s leading centre for Hajj, Umrah and faith-based tourism, backed by stronger systems, efficient service delivery and increased private-sector participation.
The programme is expected to focus on issues such as pilgrimage governance, aviation and airlift logistics, healthcare and safety, digital solutions, Shariah-compliant finance, and investment opportunities in hospitality, ICT, logistics and tourism services.
The expo will feature an exhibition and trade fair involving licensed operators, airlines, banks, fintech firms, insurers, healthcare providers and logistics companies, alongside panel discussions and business-to-business engagement sessions.
Pilgrims’ education and awareness clinics are also planned, covering travel documentation, health requirements, financial planning, consumer protection and spiritual preparedness.
A Gala and Awards Night will recognise excellence and innovation in the Hajj and Umrah ecosystem, with categories expected to include Outstanding Operator, Excellence in Pilgrim Welfare, and Innovation in Pilgrimage Services.
Organisers project more than 2,000 in-person participants and a wider digital and media reach, describing the expo as a long-term platform for reforms, improved pilgrim welfare and investment-driven growth in Nigeria’s pilgrimage administration.
