* NAHCON pledges pilgrims’ welfare, urges humility in holy land
* Airlifts 2,111 pilgrims in five flights on day one exercise
Nigeria on Sunday officially commenced the 2026 Hajj operations with the inaugural airlift of intending pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, led the flag-off ceremony at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The inaugural flight airlifted about 473 pilgrims from Kogi State, marking the beginning of a nationwide operation expected to transport over 50,000 Nigerian pilgrims to the Holy Land for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
Addressing the pilgrims, Vice President Shettima urged them to uphold values that positively reflect Nigeria, describing them as ambassadors of the country on the global stage who must comply with the laws of the host nation.
“You are ambassadors of Nigeria. You carry with you the image of our nation and the dignity of our people. Let your conduct reflect discipline, humility, patience, and integrity,” he said.
The Vice President described Hajj as a covenant between the Nigerian state and its citizens, stressing that the government must uphold its duty of care while pilgrims must represent the nation with honour.
“Our duty is to ensure that every pilgrim undertakes this journey without avoidable hardship, needless anxiety, or preventable setback,” he stated.
He reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to protecting Nigerians at home and abroad, noting that governance is anchored on service and accountability.
“We owe every Nigerian pilgrim dignity, safety, order, compassion, and honour. Each pilgrim travels under the banner of our country, and each institution involved carries a sacred trust,” he added.
Senator Shettima also tasked Hajj administrators, aviation operators, medical personnel, and security agencies to ensure seamless coordination, stressing that the success of the operation must be measured by the welfare of pilgrims.
“The success of this operation will not be measured by the number of aircraft that depart alone, but by the comfort of our pilgrims, the orderliness of our processes, and the absence of avoidable hardship. There is no room for negligence where faith, lives, and national reputation converge,” he said.
Earlier, the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ododo, described Hajj as a rare spiritual privilege and urged pilgrims to remain devoted to Almighty Allah and pray for Nigeria’s peace and socio-economic development.
He also called on the pilgrims to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima as they steer the country through ongoing reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
In her remarks, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, expressed appreciation to the President and Vice President for strengthening institutional coordination, assuring that the FCT Administration is committed to ensuring a seamless experience for pilgrims.
Also speaking, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barrister Festus Keyamo, represented by Captain Mamud Abdullahi, said the ministry has put in place measures to guarantee safety and comfort for all pilgrims.
“We are collaborating with all relevant agencies to ensure ease of operations across all airports,” he said.
In his welcome address, Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ismail Abba Yusuf, assured stakeholders of the Commission’s steadfast commitment to the welfare of Nigerians, just as he urged the pilgrims to remember that their conduct in the Holy Land must be guided by humility.
He assured that the Commission is undergoing reforms under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, aimed at entrenching transparency and transformation
Airlifts 2,111 pilgrims in five flights on day one exercise
As at Monday, May 4, the commission confirmed that a total of 2,111 pilgrims had been airlifted in five flight operations from four airports across the country during the first day flight on Sunday, marking a coordinated start to the exercise.
Muslim News gathered that operations were conducted from Abuja, Lagos, Ogun, and Kebbi States, with Abuja recording the highest number of departures, accounting for over 1,000 pilgrims across two flights.
The breakdown showed 1,242 male pilgrims and 869 female pilgrims, while Max Air handled the largest share of the airlift with two flights.
The sequencing of flights from late afternoon into the early hours of the following day reflected effective logistical planning by the commission.
Airlift structure and service providers
The 2026 Hajj airlift is being conducted by four approved carriers — Air Peace, Flynas, Max Air, and Umza Air — following agreements with NAHCON to ensure strict compliance with schedules and operational standards.
To enhance service delivery in Saudi Arabia, NAHCON also engaged Mashariq Al Dhahabia to manage logistics for state pilgrims, including accommodation, feeding, and transportation at the holy sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah.
In addition, Rawaf Mina was approved as the official service provider for licensed Nigerian private tour operators, ensuring integration into Saudi Arabia’s digital Hajj system.
Visa compliance and reforms
NAHCON confirmed that all eligible Nigerian pilgrims had secured visas before the Saudi deadline, warning against fraudulent agents and unauthorised visa arrangements.
The commission stressed that only official Hajj permits are valid, noting that Saudi authorities impose strict penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and deportation, on unauthorised pilgrims.
It added that compliance with Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk digital platform has been strengthened to ensure proper coordination of accommodation, transportation, and other services.
With the inaugural flight successfully completed and operational systems strengthened, Nigerian authorities expressed confidence that the 2026 Hajj exercise will be more efficient, coordinated, and responsive to the needs of pilgrims.
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