Over 9,000 Nigerian pilgrims arrive Madinah for 2026 Hajj — NAHCON

Events-Festivals, Middle East

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) —The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says more than 9,000 Nigerian pilgrims have so far arrived in Madinah following the commencement of the 2026 Hajj airlift operations.

According to NAHCON officials in Saudi Arabia, the pilgrims were transported through multiple flights since the inaugural airlift began on Sunday.

Saudi authorities had approved 50,000 Nigerian pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj exercise.

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The pilgrims are expected to spend about four days in Madinah before proceeding to Makkah for the main pilgrimage rites.

NAHCON disclosed that the inaugural flight, operated by UMZA Aviation as flight UMZ3501, transported 473 pilgrims from Kogi State to Madinah, comprising 296 males and 177 females.

This was followed by a Flynas flight conveying 418 pilgrims from Kebbi State, including 259 males and 159 females.

Another MaxAir flight airlifted 560 pilgrims from Nasarawa State, made up of 381 males and 179 females.

On Monday, an Air Peace flight departed Lagos with 315 pilgrims from Oyo State, comprising 155 males and 160 females.

A separate Flynas flight also departed Kebbi to Madinah with 427 pilgrims and two officials onboard.

Similarly, UMZA Aviation transported 480 pilgrims from Jigawa State, while MaxAir conveyed 411 pilgrims from Gombe State to Madinah.

NAHCON further confirmed the successful transportation of additional pilgrims from Nasarawa, Jigawa, Osun, Gombe, Kwara, Plateau, and Kebbi states as the airlift operations continue.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of NAHCON, Ambassador Abdullahi Usman, assured stakeholders of the commission’s commitment to the welfare and safety of Nigerian pilgrims throughout the Hajj exercise.

He urged pilgrims to conduct themselves with humility and discipline while in the Holy Land.

Vice President Kashim Shettima also charged the pilgrims to uphold values that would positively reflect Nigeria’s image on the global stage.

“You are ambassadors of Nigeria. You carry with you the image of our nation and the dignity of our people,” Shettima said.

“Let your conduct reflect discipline, humility, patience, and integrity.”

The Vice President described the pilgrimage as a sacred responsibility shared between the government and citizens, assuring that authorities would continue working to guarantee the safety, dignity, and seamless movement of all Nigerian pilgrims during the exercise.

“Our duty is to ensure that every pilgrim undertakes this journey without avoidable hardship, needless anxiety, or preventable setback,” he added.