The first batch of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj exercise has departed from the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s Hajj operations.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), in collaboration with the Imo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, facilitated the departure, making it the first time in history that the Sam Mbakwe Airport is being used as a designated take-off point for the annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
According to NAHCON, the pilgrims, numbering over 400 from Imo and neighbouring states, were airlifted by Air Peace, one of the four airlines approved by the Federal Government for the 2025 Hajj operations. Other approved carriers include FlyNas, Max Air, and UMZA Aviation Services Limited. The selection of these carriers followed a comprehensive screening process by a 32-member aviation committee, ensuring compliance with safety and international standards.
NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, expressed satisfaction with the smooth commencement of the airlift process and commended the efforts of the state and federal agencies for ensuring a seamless operation. He emphasized that decentralizing the airlift points was part of the commission’s strategic plan to ease the logistical burden on intending pilgrims across the country.
In a press statement earlier this year, NAHCON confirmed that Air Peace would handle the airlift of pilgrims from several southern states including Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Ondo, Rivers, Kwara, and the Federal Capital Territory. The allocation aligns with the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
The Executive Secretary of the Imo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Suleiman Yusuf, described the event as historic and praised the federal government for making it possible. He urged the pilgrims to be good representatives of Nigeria and to focus on the spiritual significance of the Hajj, offering prayers for peace, unity, and progress of the nation.
Approximately 65,000 Nigerian Muslims are expected to participate in the 2025 Hajj. NAHCON has assured that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure that the airlift process continues without delays. The commission also reaffirmed its commitment to funding offshore operations without imposing additional financial burdens on pilgrims.
The successful airlift from Owerri is seen as a testament to the improved coordination between government agencies and private operators, reflecting a renewed commitment to ensuring the welfare and safety of Nigerian pilgrims throughout the Hajj process.
