The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that 32,549 pilgrims, making up 79.1% of the total expected participants, have been successfully airlifted for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage. This achievement comes after 79 flights were operated since the start of airlift operations on May 9. The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, officially launched the first flight in Owerri, Imo, on the same day. According to NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Hajiya Fatima Usara, transport operations for states such as Adamawa and Plateau have been completed. States with only one flight, such as Bauchi and Gombe, are set to finish their airlifting today. Jigawa and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are also expected to complete their transportation on the same day. With 137 pilgrims remaining, Kwara will conclude its transport by joining a Kano Max Air flight later today. Benue’s pilgrims will join a combined flight from the South-South region on May 23, marking the final phase of airlift operations. Notably, there have been no flight cancellations, though minor delays were arranged to ensure hotels in Madinah were properly cleaned and prepared due to the influx of pilgrims. Usara clarified that these delays were part of standard procedures following room vacancies during the Hajj season.
