Habeebat Ajayi, a journalist with Trust TV, has won the Outstanding Reporter Award for her coverage of the 2026 Hajj.
Ajayi received the award at the 10th Annual Hajj Lecture and Awards organised by Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) in Abuja.
The event, themed “Exploring Business Opportunities in the Hajj and Umrah Ecosystem,” brought together government officials, media professionals, financial experts and other stakeholders to discuss Nigeria’s potential in the global pilgrimage economy.
Receiving the award, Ajayi dedicated the recognition to Nigerian pilgrims, her editors, colleagues and cameramen who supported her during the Hajj assignment.
She described the award as a recognition of the responsibility attached to reporting the experiences of pilgrims.
“I am deeply honoured and grateful to receive this Outstanding Reporter Award for my coverage of Hajj 2026. I receive this recognition with humility, knowing that journalism is not just about reporting events, but about telling stories that inform, connect and give people a voice,” she said.
Ajayi said her coverage of the pilgrimage provided an opportunity to document the experiences of Nigerian pilgrims, including issues surrounding healthcare, access to services and their spiritual journeys.
“Covering Hajj was a privilege and a responsibility, and I am thankful to Allah for giving me the opportunity, strength and guidance to document the experiences of Nigerian pilgrims and share their stories with our audience,” she added.
The journalist also appreciated her organisation for entrusting her with the assignment, as well as her editors, colleagues and cameramen for their support.
She said the recognition would motivate her to further improve her craft and continue producing journalism that positively impacts society.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, said the global Hajj and Umrah economy could exceed $150 billion annually in the coming years.
Yusuf, who spoke at the event, attributed the projected growth to the increasing global Muslim population, which he said is expected to reach 2.2 billion by 2030.
He urged Nigerian businesses and investors to explore opportunities in tourism, hospitality, healthcare, finance, logistics and technology within the pilgrimage economy.
The NAHCON chairman identified tour operations and travel logistics as areas with significant potential for Nigerian entrepreneurs.
He also advocated the development of integrated booking systems covering flights, accommodation and ground transportation to improve pilgrims’ experiences.
According to him, greater Nigerian participation in the sector could create employment, develop skills, strengthen trade relations with Saudi Arabia and position Nigerian businesses to benefit from the expanding pilgrimage market.
Also speaking, Senator Bala Na’allah stressed the need for unity and collaboration among government agencies and private-sector players to maximise the economic opportunities associated with Hajj and Umrah.
Na’allah said Nigeria’s large population and Muslim demographic provide a strong potential market for local businesses if properly harnessed.
He called for stronger collaboration between federal and state institutions and private investors to establish a structured framework that would enable Nigerian entrepreneurs to participate meaningfully in the pilgrimage economy.
A financial expert, Aliyu Ali, who delivered the keynote address, urged Nigerian businesses seeking to participate in the Hajj and Umrah economy to embrace financial literacy, strategic partnerships and innovative service delivery.
Ali said Nigeria’s large number of pilgrims presented an opportunity that could contribute to economic growth if stakeholders adopted a coordinated and professional approach.
The 10th Annual Hajj Lecture and Awards provided a platform for stakeholders to examine emerging issues in the pilgrimage sector and explore ways of expanding Nigeria’s participation in the global Hajj and Umrah economy.
