The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has concluded plans to begin the airlifting of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj exercise, with the inaugural flight scheduled for May 9, 2025.
This was disclosed at a crucial stakeholders’ meeting held at the Hajj House, Abuja, on Wednesday, with State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and representatives of the designated airlines in attendance. The meeting focused on assessing the level of preparedness across the states.
NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullah Saleh Usman, noted that preparations are in their final phase, urging states to provide updates on visa processing, vaccination, travel kits, and other logistics.
The Hon. Commissioner for Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, confirmed airline allocations. Air Peace will transport 5,128 pilgrims from 18 states, including Abia, Bayelsa, Delta, Ondo, and the Armed Forces contingent.
FlyNas has been assigned 12,506 pilgrims from the FCT, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara, using nine aircraft. Max Air will airlift 15,203 pilgrims from eight states such as Kano, Bauchi, Kwara, and Oyo, deploying a B747 and another aircraft with a 560-seat capacity.
Umza Air will be responsible for 10,163 pilgrims from Kaduna, Adamawa, Niger, and others, using a B747 and B777 aircraft.
Commissioner for PRSILS, Prof. Abubakar Yagawal, said preparations for clinics in Makkah and Madinah were complete and advised states not to include pregnant women among the intending pilgrims.
The return journey is scheduled to begin on June 13 and conclude by July 2, 2025. In total, 43,000 pilgrims are expected to partake in the 2025 Hajj exercise.
