Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has officially concluded the return airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia following the 2026 Hajj exercise, with the final flight conveying pilgrims from Zamfara State expected to arrive in Nigeria today, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The completion of the return leg brings to a close the 2026 Hajj operations, marking the end of a major national exercise that involved the successful airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to and from the Holy Land.
In a press statement issued on Monday, the Commission disclosed that 12 Nigerian pilgrims are currently receiving treatment in different hospitals in Saudi Arabia for various health conditions. NAHCON is closely monitoring their situations and has made arrangements to facilitate their safe return to Nigeria as soon as they are discharged from the hospitals. The Commission, however, did not disclose the specific nature of the illnesses or the hospitals where the pilgrims are being treated.
The NAHCON Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the overall success of the 2026 Hajj exercise and appreciated the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima for their support towards the success of the operation. NAHCON also appreciated the cooperation of State Pilgrims' Welfare Boards, licensed Tour Operators, service providers, aviation partners, medical teams, security personnel, the media and, most importantly, Nigerian pilgrims. The Commission acknowledged that challenges were encountered in the course of the exercise, but noted that valuable lessons have been drawn and will be applied toward improving subsequent Hajj operations.
In line with the Commission's commitment to continuous improvement and early planning, NAHCON has already formally commenced preparations for the 1448H/2027 Hajj exercise. This was conveyed to all Hajj managers in Nigeria through a circular dated June 15, 2026, and titled "Commencement of Preparations for 1448H/2027 Hajj Season," signed by the Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Mustapha Muhammad Ali, for the NAHCON Chairman/CEO. Consequently, State Pilgrims Welfare Boards/Agencies/Commissions and licensed Private Tour Operators have been directed to commence preparatory activities.
The 2026 Hajj exercise, which began in May with the airlift of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, was conducted under the theme "Saudi Vision 2030," which introduced several reforms aimed at improving the pilgrim experience. This year's Hajj witnessed the highest number of Nigerian pilgrims in recent years, with over 95,000 Nigerians participating in the spiritual exercise. The successful conclusion of the airlift operations marks the end of another Hajj season and the beginning of preparations for the next, as NAHCON continues to implement reforms aimed at improving the overall Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims.
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