Hajj 2026: Taraba, Adamawa Move to Final Stage, Fixes May 12 for Airlift
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
Operational pressure has intensified on Hajj authorities in Adamawa and Taraba States as stakeholders move into the final phase of preparations for the 2026 pilgrimage, with MaxAir confirming May 12, 2026, as the commencement date for the Taraba airlift.
At a high-level coordination meeting held Tuesday at the Aliyu Mustapha International Airport, Yola, security agencies, pilgrims’ boards, and aviation representatives reviewed readiness levels and closed ranks on operational requirements ahead of departure.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Zonal Office in Yola said the session was convened to validate the preparedness of all implementing agencies and eliminate potential bottlenecks before the airlift begins.
MaxAir formally announced that the evacuation of Taraba State intending pilgrims will run from May 12 to May 14, 2026, setting a tight operational window for final logistics clearance.
Briefing the meeting, the Taraba State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board said the state has reached near-total compliance on key requirements. Out of 720 visas processed, 719 have been secured, while one remains pending. Four visas were withdrawn—three following deaths and one due to an accident.
Officials also confirmed that pilgrim kits, including uniforms and travel bags, have been distributed statewide, while orientation programmes have been completed. Remaining tasks now include vaccination of pilgrims and disbursement of Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), which are considered critical pre-departure requirements.
The Adamawa State Muslim Pilgrims Commission also presented its operational readiness report, indicating parallel progress on logistics, documentation, and coordination with relevant agencies.
Security agencies at the meeting reinforced inter-agency coordination protocols, while aviation stakeholders stressed adherence to timelines to avoid disruptions in the tightly scheduled airlift programme.
The Chief of Madagali, Dr. Ali Danburam—who also serves as Adamawa State Amirul Hajj for 2026—warned against operational gaps, urging strict synergy between state boards, security institutions, and airline operators to ensure an incident-free exercise.
The meeting brought together representatives of the Secretaries to the State Governments of Adamawa and Taraba, the Adamawa State Muslim Council, and the Chief Judge of Adamawa State, who also functions as Deputy Amirul Hajj.
With timelines now fixed and compliance levels largely achieved, attention has shifted to last-mile execution, where any lapse could directly impact the smooth rollout of the 2026 Hajj airlift from the two states.
