The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has concluded arrangements for the 2025 Hajj operations, with the airlift of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia set to begin on May 9, 2025. Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

Stanley Nkwocha said that the NAHCON board had briefed Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa on preparations for the 2025 Hajj operations. Nkwocha said Prince Anofi Elegushi, Commissioner in charge of Operations, Inspectorate & Licensing, disclosed that arrangements have been made in Mecca, Medina, and other cities for a hitch-free 2025 exercise. “We have all of our accommodation intact in Mecca, Medina, and other locations. They are ready to take our pilgrims, we have secured enough bed spaces and paid for adequate feeding for our pilgrims,” Elegushi said.

The first flight to Saudi Arabia will be through Medina on May 9, and the airlift is expected to be completed by May 24. The return journey is scheduled to begin on June 13 and end on July 2. Nkwocha quoted Elegushi as saying, “All hands are on deck, and I can assure all Nigerian pilgrims that they are in safe hands.”

Nkwocha further stated that NAHCON has made arrangements for over 40,000 pilgrims, including officials from the states and 13,000 others from tour operators. The Chairman of NAHCON, Professor Saleh Abdullahi Usman, said they briefed the Vice President on the Hajj preparations and that the Vice President is very happy with the preparations. Vice President Shettima charged the commission to ensure that all hands are on deck to ensure the success of the Hajj exercise, saying, “All necessary measures must be taken to guarantee the success of the 2025 Hajj. We owe it to all Nigerians and our pilgrims to ensure a smooth and spiritually fulfilling experience.”