Over eight thousand Nigerian muslims have already been flown to Saudi Arabia for this year’s pilgrimage. The flight operation began on Thursday, May 8 from Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), which is overseeing the conduct of the entire Hajj operations, in a statement today, May 12, confirmed that there has been what it called “remarkable progress” in the ongoing airlift of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj.
The statement, by the spokesperson of the Commission, Hajiya Fatima Sanda Usara said that within three days of commencement, the Commission has successfully airlifted 19 percent of the total intending pilgrims. She said that this is an improvement from the 9 percent airlifted within the same period in 2024.
According to Fatima Hajiya Sanda Usara, Air Peace has concluded the airlift of Kogi State pilgrims, transporting 559 out of the 564 scheduled. “Similarly, Max Air has completed the airlift of Oyo State pilgrims with a total of 1,083 pilgrims successfully conveyed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Imo and Abia States have also completed their operations, with the exception of a few “no-show” pilgrims during the inaugural flight.
“These will be accommodated in the mop-up flights later in the exercise.
“For Nasarawa State with 944 pilgrims, UMZA Air is concluding its operations currently with the final flight already on the ground, preparing for takeoff.
“Going forward, UMZA Air is scheduled to begin the airlift of Kaduna State pilgrims on 14th May and will operate back-to-back flights. “FlyNas will commence the airlift of Sokoto pilgrims by 13th May and, barring any changes, will begin operations for Abuja pilgrims on 16th May. Air Peace is slated to begin the transportation of Borno pilgrims on 18th May.”
She quoted the NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman of commending the performance of the airlines, the State Pilgrims’ Boards and other stakeholders for their cooperation that facilitated the smooth and timely movement of pilgrims.
