By Akeem Alao Babatunde
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has fixed May 9, 2025, as the date for the inaugural flight of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
The decision was reached during a
meeting held on April 22, 2025, between the Commission and Executive Secretaries of State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards under the Forum of States.
Speaking at the meeting, NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullah Saleh Usman, underscored the urgency of final preparations as the Hajj season nears.
“The Hajj industry is in the last lap of preparation before the commencement of the 2025 Hajj season,” he said.
He urged states to provide updates on visa production, vaccination, baggage procurement, and other logistics necessary for a smooth pilgrimage.
Prince Anofiu Elegushi, NAHCON Commissioner for Operations, announced the breakdown of airline allocations for this year’s pilgrimage.
According to him, Air Peace will airlift a total of 5,128 pilgrims from 18 different states, including Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, and the Armed Forces.
Saudi Arabia’s flynas, on its part, has been assigned 12,506 pilgrims from Lagos, Ogun, Osun, FCT Abuja, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara. The airline is expected to deploy nine aircraft for the operation.
Max Air will handle 15,203 pilgrims from Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Oyo, and Plateau states, using two aircraft—a Boeing 747 with a 400-seat capacity and a second aircraft with a 560-seat capacity. The airline has committed to completing its airlift operations by May 24.
Meanwhile, Umza Air has been allocated 10,163 pilgrims from Kaduna, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Niger, and Yobe states. It will utilize two aircraft—a B747 with 477 seats and a B777 with 310 seats—for its operations.
Commissioner for Planning, Research, Statistics, Information & Library Services (PRSILS), Prof. Abubakar Yagawal, gave updates on the Commission’s health preparedness. He noted that clinics have been secured in both Makkah and Madinah, and Yellow Cards have been distributed to all states.
He also issued a reminder, “States must ensure that pregnant women are not enrolled for the Hajj exercise.”
The total number of Nigerian pilgrims expected to be airlifted this year stands at 43,000.
The outbound airlift will commence on May 9 and conclude by May 24, while return flights are tentatively scheduled to begin on June 13 and wrap up by July 2.
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