Hajj 2026: Nigeria Begins Airlifting Of Pilgrims To Saudi Arabia

Balogun Ganiat, Abuja

The 2026 hajj exercise has kicked off with its inaugural flights on the 3rd of May, 2026 via Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

According to the NAHCON’s Command and Control Center, a total of 1,451 Pilgrims had departed from Abuja and Kebbi airports respectively to Saudi Arabia.

Early in the day during the kickoff ceremony, the Vice President, Kassim Shettima urged stakeholders to adhere to quality service delivery and coordination.

According to the Vice President; “the success of this operation will not be measured by the number of aircraft that departs alone, but by the comfort of our Pilgrims, the orderliness of our processes and the absence of avoidable hardship. There’s no room for negligence where faith, lives and national reputation converges”, he concluded.