The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj will commence on May 9 and conclude on May 24. This was confirmed in a statement released on Tuesday by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director of Information and Publications for the NAHCON Chairman/CEO.
The timeline was agreed upon during a coordination meeting between NAHCON and the Executive Secretaries of State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards under the Forum of States, held on April 22, 2025. The session focused on evaluating the states’ preparedness for the pilgrimage.
In his address, NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullah Saleh Usman, stressed the urgency of final preparations. He urged states to update the commission on key logistics including visa processing, vaccinations, and distribution of travel materials.
Details of airline allocations were also outlined. According to Prince Anofiu Elegushi, Honourable Commissioner for Operations:
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Air Peace will airlift 5,128 pilgrims from 19 states and special contingents, including the Armed Forces.
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FlyNas is set to transport 12,506 pilgrims from the FCT, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara using nine aircraft.
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Max Air will convey 15,203 pilgrims from northern states including Kano, Katsina, and Bauchi with two aircraft, a Boeing 747 and another with a 560-passenger capacity.
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Umza Air is assigned 10,163 pilgrims from Kaduna, Yobe, Niger, Adamawa, and Nasarawa, deploying a B747 and B777.
In total, about 43,000 Nigerian pilgrims are expected to be airlifted for the 2025 Hajj.
On health preparedness, Professor Abubakar Yagawal, NAHCON Commissioner for PRSILS, confirmed that clinics have been secured in Makkah and Madinah, and Yellow Cards have been distributed to the states. He also reiterated the policy against registering pregnant women for the pilgrimage.
Return flights from Saudi Arabia are expected to begin on June 13 and wrap up by July 2, 2025.
The Commission assured the public of a smooth and well-coordinated Hajj operation in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.
