Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday, May 3, formally inaugurated the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj.
The flag-off ceremony took place at the Pilgrims Terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, following a last-minute relocation from Iperu in Ogun State to the nation’s capital due to the completion of final travel arrangements.
The programme indicates that pilgrims from Kogi State will be among the first group to depart for Saudi Arabia. Proceedings began at 2:30 pm with the arrival of top government officials and other dignitaries, followed by an opening prayer led by the Chief Imam of the National Mosque in Abuja.
In his remarks, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Ismail Abba Yusuf, delivered the welcome address. Goodwill messages were presented by key government figures, including the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Chairman of the House Committee on Muslim Pilgrimage, Jafaru Mohammed Ali; and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Abubakar Sani Bello.
Also in attendance was the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, while the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the event.
During the 2025 Hajj, approximately 1.67 million pilgrims participated in the exercise.
The figure is being used as a reference point for projections for the 2026 pilgrimage, as Saudi authorities continue to improve logistics and operational planning for the annual religious event.
