2026 Hajj: Kebbi Leads Nigerian States in Pilgrims Airlift as Operations Hit 50% Completion
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The latest airlift statistics obtained from Hajj Gazette 2026 Hajj Tracker indicate that Kebbi State is maintaining the lead among Nigerian states with the highest number of pilgrims successfully transported to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj.
The data showed that Kebbi has so far airlifted 2,985 pilgrims, placing the state ahead of other participating states in the ongoing nationwide Hajj transportation exercise.
Bauchi State ranked second with 1,756 pilgrims transported, followed closely by Kwara State with 1,710 pilgrims airlifted to Saudi Arabia.
Nasarawa State occupied the fourth position after recording 1,565 pilgrims, while the Federal Capital Territory Administration completed the top five with 1,468 pilgrims transported for the pilgrimage.
The statistics further indicated that Nigeria has so far airlifted 19,564 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia out of its total allocation of 39,267 pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj exercise, representing about 50 percent completion of the nationwide operation.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria is coordinating the ongoing airlift in collaboration with state pilgrims’ welfare boards and designated airlines operating from various embarkation centers across the country.
Hajj flights are expected to continue in phases until all registered Nigerian pilgrims are transported to Saudi Arabia ahead of the commencement of the 2026 pilgrimage rites.
