The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commenced the 2026 Hajj airlift operations with assurances of improved welfare, healthcare, and logistics for Nigerian pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia.
NAHCON Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, gave the assurance during the inaugural flight ceremony at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where 473 pilgrims from Kogi State were airlifted for the pilgrimage.
Yusuf said the inaugural flight marked the beginning of the transportation of Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
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“Today, we witness the inaugural flight for the 2026 Hajj, conveying a contingent of about 500 Kogi pilgrims to Medina. This marks the beginning of the airlift of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia,” he stated.
He expressed confidence that the smooth process recorded during the inaugural flight would be sustained throughout the exercise.
The NAHCON chairman explained that the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, had put measures in place to ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims.
“To ensure the comfort and safety of our pilgrims, the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, has facilitated the provision of Basic Travel Allowance at concessionary rates. Medical centres have also been established close to pilgrims’ accommodation in Mecca and Medina,” he explained.
Yusuf disclosed that about 150 medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers, had been deployed to attend to the health needs of pilgrims during the exercise.
He further explained that accommodation, feeding, and transportation arrangements for pilgrims had also been upgraded.
On rising aviation fuel costs, the NAHCON chairman said the commission had made representations to the Federal Government following concerns raised by airlines over possible operational losses.
“We are optimistic that the government will adopt one of the recommendations, as the President is concerned about both the possibility of pilgrims bearing additional costs and airlines incurring losses due to rising fuel prices,” he stressed.
Yusuf revealed that Nigeria had a total allocation of 50,000 pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj exercise, with 9,750 slots allocated to private tour operators, while 40,250 pilgrims would travel through State Pilgrims Welfare Boards under federal supervision.
In his remarks, Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, urged the pilgrims to conduct themselves responsibly and project a positive image of Nigeria during the pilgrimage.
Similarly, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, commended NAHCON for efforts towards a smooth Hajj operation and called on pilgrims to pray for peace and unity in Nigeria. The Sultan was represented by the Emir of Jiwa, Alhaji Idris Musa.
Meanwhile, MaxAir flight VM3001 departed Abuja for Madinah at 21:12 hours with 560 pilgrims from Nasarawa State.
The breakdown showed 381 male and 179 female pilgrims, bringing the total number of pilgrims airlifted to 1,451 across three flights.
Also, MaxAir flight VM260 departed Ogun State for Jeddah at 22:59 hours with 345 Ogun pilgrims and 70 officials onboard.
The flight conveyed 151 male and 194 female pilgrims, increasing the total number of airlifted pilgrims to 1,796 across four flights.
In addition, Air Peace flight APK7902 departed Lagos for Madinah at 01:41 hours on Monday with 315 pilgrims from Oyo State.
The flight carried 155 male and 160 female pilgrims, bringing the total number of pilgrims airlifted so far to 2,111 across five flights.
