History is set to be made this Friday, May 9, as Nigeria’s first batch of pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj will be officially airlifted from the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State. This marks the first time the South-East state will host a major Hajj inaugural ceremony, and the occasion is expected to attract top dignitaries, including Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, who will grace the event as Special Guest of Honour.
The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, will serve as host for the event, which is being coordinated by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). According to a statement issued by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director of Information and Publication at the Commission, a total of 315 intending pilgrims from Imo, Abia, and Bayelsa States will be flown to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aboard an Air Peace aircraft.
NAHCON’s advance team arrived in Owerri on Wednesday to finalise logistics and ensure a smooth operation for what is expected to be a landmark event in Nigeria’s Hajj calendar. The Commission also confirmed that registration for the 2025 pilgrimage formally ended on Friday, May 2, following an extension granted by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman. The extension had been necessary to accommodate late entries after the March 25 deadline for contractual arrangements had passed.
In the words of the Commission, “Stoppage of further registration became necessary in order for the Commission to concentrate on the airlift of pilgrims, with sufficient resources to ensure their comfort.” It further clarified that any Hajj fare deposits made after May 2 will be refunded in full.
As of the close of registration, NAHCON had recorded a total of 40,671 intending pilgrims under the government quota across Nigeria. The Friday airlift from Owerri is only one among five simultaneous flights scheduled for the day. Additional flights will include a Max Air departure from Bauchi, two FlyNas flights one from Kebbi and the other from Osun State via Lagos and a fourth flight departing from Niger State. Combined, these operations will ferry 2,528 Nigerian pilgrims to the holy city of Madinah on the first day of the Hajj movement.
In preparation for the inaugural flight from Imo, NAHCON’s Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, arrived at Port Harcourt International Airport on Thursday, accompanied by the Commissioners in charge of Operations, Policy, Personnel Management and Finance (PPMF), Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services (PRSILS), along with other senior management officials. Their presence underscores the strategic importance the Commission has placed on ensuring an efficient and dignified pilgrimage process for all Nigerian pilgrims.
As the countdown to Hajj 2025 begins in earnest, all eyes will be on Owerri this Friday as Nigeria’s pilgrimage journey takes flight with high hopes, renewed faith, and a firm commitment to ensuring a safe and well organised spiritual experience for every participant.
VP Shettima, Governor Uzodinma to Flag Off Nigeria’s Maiden Hajj 2025 Airlift from Owerri on Friday
History is set to be made this Friday, May 9, as Nigeria’s first batch of pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj will be officially airlifted from the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State. This marks the first time the South-East state will host a major Hajj inaugural ceremony, and the occasion is expected to attract top dignitaries, including Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, who will grace the event as Special Guest of Honour.
The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, will serve as host for the event, which is being coordinated by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). According to a statement issued by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director of Information and Publication at the Commission, a total of 315 intending pilgrims from Imo, Abia, and Bayelsa States will be flown to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aboard an Air Peace aircraft.
NAHCON’s advance team arrived in Owerri on Wednesday to finalise logistics and ensure a smooth operation for what is expected to be a landmark event in Nigeria’s Hajj calendar. The Commission also confirmed that registration for the 2025 pilgrimage formally ended on Friday, May 2, following an extension granted by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman. The extension had been necessary to accommodate late entries after the March 25 deadline for contractual arrangements had passed.
In the words of the Commission, “Stoppage of further registration became necessary in order for the Commission to concentrate on the airlift of pilgrims, with sufficient resources to ensure their comfort.” It further clarified that any Hajj fare deposits made after May 2 will be refunded in full.
As of the close of registration, NAHCON had recorded a total of 40,671 intending pilgrims under the government quota across Nigeria. The Friday airlift from Owerri is only one among five simultaneous flights scheduled for the day. Additional flights will include a Max Air departure from Bauchi, two FlyNas flights one from Kebbi and the other from Osun State via Lagos and a fourth flight departing from Niger State. Combined, these operations will ferry 2,528 Nigerian pilgrims to the holy city of Madinah on the first day of the Hajj movement.
In preparation for the inaugural flight from Imo, NAHCON’s Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, arrived at Port Harcourt International Airport on Thursday, accompanied by the Commissioners in charge of Operations, Policy, Personnel Management and Finance (PPMF), Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services (PRSILS), along with other senior management officials. Their presence underscores the strategic importance the Commission has placed on ensuring an efficient and dignified pilgrimage process for all Nigerian pilgrims.
As the countdown to Hajj 2025 begins in earnest, all eyes will be on Owerri this Friday as Nigeria’s pilgrimage journey takes flight with high hopes, renewed faith, and a firm commitment to ensuring a safe and well organised spiritual experience for every participant.
