2026 Hajj: Kano Board Fixed May 13 for First Pilgrims’ Flight
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has fixed May 13, 2026, for the inaugural airlift of intending pilgrims from the state to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Public Relations Office (PRO) of the board, Sulaiman A. Dederi.
He explained that the Director General (DG) of the Board, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle, made the announcement during a visit to the State House of Assembly.
According to him, this aligns the state’s schedule with the official timetable released by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Matawalle said the Board had “concluded all necessary preparations” for the airlift, assuring the lawmakers and stakeholders of operational readiness.
He noted that briefing the legislature, particularly the House Committee on Hajj, ahead of flight operations remains a longstanding tradition designed to promote transparency and ensure timelines are met.
“It is a longstanding tradition for the Board to brief the Honourable House, particularly the House Committee on Hajj prior to the commencement of airlifting operations, to ensure that all arrangements are transparent and on schedule,” he stated.
The DG further assured that he would leverage his experience and introduce new operational strategies to guarantee a seamless exercise. According to him, the objective is to deliver a “hitch-free and successful Hajj operation for Kano State pilgrims this year.”
Responding, the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly and member of the House Committee on Hajj, Muhammad Bello Butu-Butu, described Matawalle’s appointment as “well-deserved and appropriate.”
He pledged the Assembly’s commitment to collaborate closely with the Board to achieve a smooth Hajj operation.
Dedri added that in a related development, the DG paid a courtesy visit to the Protocol Section of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kano Office to deepen inter-agency collaboration ahead of the pilgrimage.
During the visit, Matawalle stressed the importance of “cordial and effective working relationships” with relevant authorities and security agencies involved in the Hajj process.
The Head of the Protocol Section, Alhaji Nu’uman Nuhu Bamalli, welcomed the initiative and assured the Board of the Ministry’s support, noting that leadership anchored on professionalism and consultation is positioned for success.
The Board reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the welfare, safety, and spiritual fulfillment of Kano pilgrims throughout the 2026 Hajj exercise.
