2026 Hajj: NAHCON Airlifts 9,756 Nigerian Pilgrims in Four Days
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says a total of 9,756 Nigerian pilgrims have so far been transported to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise, four days after the commencement of the inaugural airlift operations.
NAHCON disclosed that the four approved Nigerian air carriers had, as of Wednesday, conducted 23 outbound flights conveying pilgrims to Madinah.
The Commission also noted that the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims currently in Madinah had begun concluding their activities in the holy city, including visits to the Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) Rawdah, ahead of their movement to Makkah on Wednesday, May 7, 2026.
According to the Commission, officials of various State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards have already received guidance and training on procedures for scheduling Rawdah visits for their pilgrims.
NAHCON, however, reminded intending pilgrims that access to the Rawdah remains strictly regulated due to congestion control and crowd management measures introduced by Saudi authorities.
The Commission urged pilgrims to remain patient, orderly and compliant with instructions from officials and religious scholars throughout the exercise.
It further advised pilgrims to heed the guidance of their Ulama concerning the validity and acceptance of Hajj rites, stressing that while visiting the Rawdah is highly rewarding, it is not a compulsory condition for the validity of Hajj.
“Visiting the Rawdah is a blessed opportunity, but it is not a condition for the validity of Hajj, and Allah grants such opportunities according to His will,” the statement added.
