In a key milestone ahead of this year’s holy pilgrimage, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has officially set May 9, 2025, as the date for the commencement of airlift operations for Nigerian pilgrims travelling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This decision was reached during a high-level meeting convened at the Hajj House in Abuja, involving NAHCON officials and Executive Secretaries of State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and Agencies. The deliberations focused on evaluating the readiness of each state to meet logistical and administrative benchmarks for the annual spiritual exercise.
As part of the outcome, airlines were allocated pilgrims based on regional arrangements and capacity. According to NAHCON, Air Peace will be responsible for transporting 5,128 pilgrims from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers States, along with pilgrims from military and paramilitary establishments and staff of the commission.
Saudi-based FlyNas was assigned to convey 12,506 pilgrims from the Federal Capital Territory, Kebbi, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Sokoto, and Zamfara States. Meanwhile, Max Air will handle 15,203 pilgrims from Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Oyo, and Plateau States. Umza Air has been tasked with flying 10,163 pilgrims from Adamawa, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Niger, and Yobe States.
Speaking during the session, NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullah Saleh Usman, urged states to intensify preparations by fast-tracking the completion of visa applications, vaccination protocols, and procurement of essential materials for pilgrims. He noted that NAHCON is working closely with Saudi authorities to ensure that adequate medical facilities are available for Nigerian pilgrims in both Makkah and Madinah. He also confirmed that Yellow Cards would be distributed across the states ahead of departure.
Return flights for Nigerian pilgrims are projected to begin on June 13 and wrap up by July 2, 2025, in a bid to guarantee the safe and timely return of all pilgrims following the conclusion of Hajj rites.
This structured approach signals NAHCON’s resolve to improve the overall Hajj experience, prioritizing the welfare, safety, and convenience of Nigerian pilgrims as they embark on this sacred journey.
