Makkah: The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced the successful conclusion of the 2026 Hajj outbound airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The commission stated that the airlift operations were completed at 10:44 a.m on Thursday, ahead of the deadline for inbound Hajj flights into Saudi Arabia before the commencement of the Hajj rites.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the airlift operation, which began on May 3, officially concluded with the final flight operated by Max Air, carrying pilgrims from Zamfara. A total of 98 outbound flights were conducted over 18 days, maintaining an average of approximately five flights daily. Nigeria was allocated a Hajj quota of 50,000 pilgrims for the 2026 exercise, which included 9,750 slots for Licensed Tour Operators, operational support personnel, and statutory officials.
By the end of the airlift, around 39,000 pilgrims had been successfully transported to Saudi Arabia for the performance of Hajj, excluding officials and government representatives. However, some intending pilgrims could not travel due to unavoidable circumstances such as deaths and ill health after the issuance of visas. The commission expressed gratitude for the orderly and peaceful coordination among stakeholders throughout the operation.
The Chairman of NAHCON, Amb. Ismail Yusuf, commended the cooperation and resilience demonstrated by NAHCON Board Members and staff. He also praised the Nigerian pilgrims, state pilgrims’ welfare boards, licensed tour operators, official air carriers, security agencies, operational committees, and other relevant stakeholders for their contributions to the successful operation.
NAHCON expressed appreciation for the support and guidance from President Bola Tinubu and the supervision of Vice-President Kashim Shettima in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Nigerian pilgrims despite challenges posed by global socio-political uncertainties. The commission reminded pilgrims of the significance of the Hajj period, urging them to abide by the laws and regulations in Saudi Arabia and to avoid actions that could result in penalties or difficulties.
The commission assured pilgrims that arrangements for Masha’ir operations have been finalized and will be monitored to ensure their comfort and welfare. Preparations for the return flight operations, scheduled to begin on June 3, are also underway, with details to be communicated in due course. NAHCON also stated that preparations for future Hajj operations, including the 2027 Hajj exercise, will commence immediately after the current pilgrimage season to build on the successes achieved and improve service delivery.