The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has announced that the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj will begin on May 9, with the final outbound flight scheduled for May 24.
This was revealed in a statement issued on Tuesday by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director of Information and Publications at NAHCON, following a strategic meeting held on April 22 between the Commission and Executive Secretaries of State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards.
NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullah Saleh Usman, who chaired the meeting, emphasized the need for all participating states to demonstrate their readiness for the pilgrimage.
“We are now in the critical final phase of preparation. All states must provide updates on visa issuance, vaccination status, bag procurement, and other logistics,” Professor Usman stated.
Key airline allocations for the exercise were also finalized during the session.
Air Peace will be responsible for transporting 5,128 pilgrims from 19 states and institutions, including Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, the Armed Forces, and Rivers.
FlyNas was allocated 12,506 pilgrims, covering regions such as Lagos, Ogun, Sokoto, and the FCT. “FlyNas is committing nine aircraft for this operation,” disclosed Prince Anofiu Elegushi, Commissioner for Operations.
Max Air will handle 15,203 pilgrims from states including Kano, Katsina, and Oyo, utilizing two aircraft with capacities of 400 and 560 passengers, respectively. Umza Air will transport 10,163 pilgrims from Kaduna, Niger, Yobe, and other states, deploying a B747 and a B777 aircraft.
Professor Abubakar Yagawal, Commissioner for Planning, Research, and Statistics, assured stakeholders of the Commission’s preparedness in terms of health and safety. “Clinics have been secured in Makkah and Madinah, and Yellow Cards are being distributed to states. We also remind states not to register pregnant women for this year’s Hajj,” he added.
The Commission confirmed that return flights will commence on June 13 and conclude by July 2. A total of 43,000 Nigerian pilgrims are expected to participate in the 2025 Hajj.
