2025 hajj: NAHCON completes airlifting of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia

As the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) concluded the outbound airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj exercise, the Chairman/CEO of the Commission, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has declared that completing the airlift is an important moment for the Hajj body.

This is even as he expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, for their strong support in making the 2025 Hajj operation a success.

Addressing journalists Wednesday night at the Hajj Terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja before departing to Saudi Arabia, Prof Usman said this year’s Hajj operation recorded several notable achievements that reflected the growth and improvement of the Nigerian pilgrimage.

According to him, though the outbound airlift operation was not easy, with the collaborative support of all stakeholders, the commission was able to successfully conclude the operation.

The NAHCON boss informed that there were challenges in the course of the airlift operation but with teamwork, the Commission was able to achieve its goal of ensuring every Nigerian pilgrim travelled to the Holy Land and was well taken care of.

“As we close the outbound airlift programme for the 2025 Hajj operation for this year from the state quota, this is a very important moment for all of us because it means we have successfully airlifted thousands of our pilgrims over a few weeks.

“It hasn’t been easy, but with good planning, after help from Almighty Allah and teamwork, we have concluded a job successfully, Alhamdulillah.

“We are grateful to everyone who made this possible, from the government, airlines and state boards and all people working at the background.

“Our main goal has been to make sure every pilgrim travels smoothly and is well taken care of. And I believe we have achieved that.

“In the course of the operation, we had times that we faced challenges, of course, but work hard to fix any problem quickly and keep things running smoothly. We are grateful for Almighty Allah for His guidance.

“The 2025 Hajj operation recorded several notable achievements that reflect the growth and improvement of Nigerian pilgrimage management.

“One key success was the timely and well-coordinated airlift of pilgrims completed within the official schedules.

“We sincerely thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tunubu and the Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, for their strong support in making the 2025 Hajj operation a success,” Prof Usman said.

According to him, the support of the President and his voice gave NAHCON “the backing needed to carry out a smooth and well-coordinated Hajj”.

He then expressed his appreciation to the media for their efforts in helping the commission “share updated information with Nigerians”, saying, “We appreciate your support.”

Usman, however, called for prayers for Nigerian pilgrims as they begin their religious obligations in the Holy Land, adding, “We ask every one of you and others to pray for their successful Hajj.”

While expressing the hope of receiving the pilgrims back home soon sound and safe, the NAHCON CEO assured of giving continuous support to the pilgrims in the Holy Land and helping them to perform their pilgrimage and return to Nigeria safely.

According to Usman, “We look forward to welcoming them back home soon, safe and sound. Everything is in the hand of Allah.

“But as we unite ourselves, unite ourselves, work together like one family, in shaa Allah, me and my team will continue supporting our pilgrims, helping them to do their pilgrimage and come back to Nigeria safely, in shaa Allah.”

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