Alhaja

Alhaja is a title of respect used in parts of West Africa, especially among Yoruba and Hausa communities in Nigeria, for a Muslim woman who has completed the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. It functions similarly to the male counterpart Alhaji, which is used for men who have completed the pilgrimage, though usage varies by community.

The term derives from Arabic al-Hajj, meaning the pilgrimage. In local usage it has been absorbed into Yoruba and other languages, producing spellings such as Alhaja and Hajia. The prefix is commonly placed before a woman’s given name, but in many cases it can also appear as a surname or informal identifier within families and communities.

Social significance: Being titled Alhaja signals religious attainment and can carry respect and status in social, religious, and business settings. Attitudes toward the title vary; some prefer to address women by professional or secular titles, while others continue to use Alhaja in formal or communal contexts.

See also: Hajj, Hajji, Hajjah, Alhaji.