NAHCON Confirms May 9 For Inaugural 2025 Hajj Flight, Pushes For Financial Reforms.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has confirmed that the inaugural flight for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage will depart for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 9 May, 2025. This marks the official commencement of Nigeria’s participation in this year’s holy pilgrimage.
As part of its comprehensive preparations, NAHCON has finalised the allocation of 43,000 intending pilgrims across four approved airlines. At an expanded stakeholders’ meeting held at the Hajj House in Abuja, the Commissioner for Operations, Alhaji Anofiu Elegushi, revealed the detailed airlift plan for the exercise.
Air Peace has been assigned 5,128 pilgrims from states including Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Ondo, Rivers, and Taraba, as well as the Armed Forces.
FlyNas, a Saudi-based airline, will deploy nine aircraft to airlift 12,506 pilgrims from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kebbi, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.
Max Air will be responsible for pilgrims from Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Oyo, and Plateau States. The airline has pledged to complete the airlift of its 15,203 pilgrims by 24 May, using a Boeing 747 (400-capacity) and a second aircraft with 560-seat capacity.
Umza Aviation has been allocated 10,163 pilgrims from Kaduna, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Niger, and Yobe States. It will deploy a Boeing 747 (477-capacity) and a Boeing 777 (310-capacity) for the exercise.
In addition to logistical readiness, NAHCON’s Commissioner for Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services, Professor Abubakar Yagawal, updated stakeholders on the provision of clinics in Makkah and Madinah, as well as the distribution of Yellow Cards to state pilgrims’ boards.
NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullah Usman, used the meeting to call on state officials to provide updates on visa processing, vaccinations, luggage procurement, and other key preparations. According to the commission’s spokesperson, Fatima Usara, the outbound flights will conclude by 24 May, while the return flights are expected to begin on 13 June and end by 2 July, 2025.
In a related development, NAHCON and the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN) will jointly host the second edition of the National Hajj Stakeholders Summit on 30 April, 2025, at the NICON Luxury Hotel in Abuja. Themed **“Sustainable Hajj Financing: Developing a Resilient Model for Nigerian Pilgrims and Operators,”** the summit will focus on building a robust and transparent financial framework for Hajj operations in Nigeria.
Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to attend as Special Guest of Honour, while NAHCON Chairman, Prof Usman, will serve as the Chief Host. The keynote address will be delivered by Dr Mansur Muhtar, former Vice President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and current Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Industry (BoI).
According to HIN Rector, Professor Muhammad Maiturare, the summit’s steering committee—chaired by HIN Deputy Rector, Professor Wasiu Gabadeen—was inaugurated on 14 April and includes members from HIN, NAHCON’s Hajj Savings Scheme, Protocol, and Media departments.
The summit aims to address long-standing financial challenges within the Hajj industry, with an emphasis on transparency, accountability, risk management, and the integration of digital platforms for efficient savings, payments, and fund tracking.
With less than a month to the commencement of the 2025 Hajj airlift, Nigeria appears firmly on course for a smooth and well-organised pilgrimage season.
