Airlift of intending pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj from Kano State will begin on May 14, with the inaugural flight departing from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Director-General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle, disclosed this during the closing ceremony of the Hajj induction course on Monday.
He said the first flight would convey over 300 intending pilgrims aboard Max Air, adding that the schedule released by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria indicates that more than 3,000 pilgrims from Kano will be airlifted to Saudi Arabia within five days of operations.
Matawalle noted that all necessary arrangements have been concluded ahead of the exercise and urged pilgrims to strictly adhere to their flight schedules.
According to him, participants have undergone proper orientation on the tenets of the Hajj and are expected to comply with the rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia throughout the pilgrimage.
He added that logistics covering transportation, accommodation, feeding and other welfare services have been adequately secured to ensure a smooth spiritual exercise for the pilgrims.
Matawalle also commended the state government for its support in facilitating the welfare and administrative arrangements for pilgrims both in Nigeria and in the holy land.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Yusuf Lawan, advised intending pilgrims to continually study their induction materials for better understanding of the rites.
He urged them to obey all guidelines issued by Nigerian and Saudi authorities during the pilgrimage.
Officials from agencies including the Nigeria Immigration Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and National Orientation Agency also provided professional guidance at the event.
Meanwhile, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria said a total of 2,111 pilgrims from five states have already been airlifted since operations began on May 3.
According to NAHCON’s command and control centre, the exercise commenced at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and has covered departures from Kebbi, Ogun and Lagos states, reflecting a multi-location rollout.
The commission added that of those already airlifted, 1,242 are male pilgrims, while 869 are female.
