The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that a total 32,549 intending pilgrims, representing 79.1% of the total intending pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj exercise, have so far been successfully airlifted to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj.
In a press statement signed by the assistant director of information and publication, NAHCON, Hajiya Fatima Sanda Usara, the commission said the airlift of 32,549 intending pilgrims recorded was achieved through 79 flights operated since the commencement of the airlift operations on May 9, 2025, marking a significant progress compared to last year, when only 9,788 pilgrims were transported across 23 flights, representing 20.2 per cent at the same stage.
The statement added that many states have concluded their airlift operations including Adamawa and Plateau, while those with one flight only to complete their operations on Wednesday included Bauchi and Gombe States, with 30 pilgrims each left to be airlifted.
Jigawa State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are also expected to complete their pilgrim airlift on Wednesday, May 21, while Kwara State, with 137 pilgrims remaining, will conclude by joining a Kano Max Air flight.
Meanwhile, Benue State pilgrims will join intending pilgrims from the South-South section to undertake a combined and only flight from the region on May 23, marking the last phase of the airlift for the area.
Importantly, no flight cancellations have been recorded since the airlift began. However, deliberate minor delays were arranged to allow for the proper clean-up and decongestion of hotels in Madinah, especially with the surge in arrivals. Such cleanup procedures are standard operational routines following vacation of rooms during the Hajj season. This goes unnoticed during initial airlift periods but causes misinterpretations at peak periods when a higher number of pilgrims are on the ground, requiring immediate turnover.
NAHCON thanked the Nigerian intending pilgrims and entire communities for their goodwill, patience and prayers, and reaffirm the Commission’s resolve to ensure a smooth Hajj for every pilgrim.
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