Nigeria, Jan. 21 -- There are moments when leadership transcends office and becomes a moral commitment. In public service, such moments are rare - but unmistakable when they occur. The recent pre-Hajj visit of Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, chairman and chief executive officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), to Saudi Arabia ahead of the 2026 Hajj season stands as one of those moments. It was not merely a diplomatic or administrative mission; it was a statement of intent about the kind of governance Nigerian pilgrims deserve.

When Mr Usman arrived in Saudi Arabia in January, the visit carried a clear message: Hajj administration is not only about timetables, contracts, and quotas; it is about people, faith, and dign...