Hajj 2026: Final batch of Lagos pilgrims arrive from Makkah

About 1,600 Lagos pilgrims who participated in the just-concluded Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have safely returned home to reunite with their families.

The arrival of the last batch of 187 pilgrims on Saturday marked the conclusion of the 2026 Hajj operations.

Speaking with journalists on the tarmac of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, the Amir-ul-Hajj and Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, described the spiritual exercise as a success for the state.

Layode attributed the success to the exemplary conduct of the pilgrims in the Holy Land and noted that the state made adequate preparations by engaging critical stakeholders ahead of the journey.

“We give all glory to Almighty God for the successful completion of this year’s Hajj journey to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I want to say that it was a success achieved through teamwork and a shared sense of purpose.

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“Despite the deadline set by the Saudi authorities for early payment, we started planning ahead, and that made the operations easier.

“We subjected our pilgrims to comprehensive health checks, provided proper orientation, and offered various welfare packages through the state government,” Layode said.

The commissioner also appreciated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Kadri Hamzat, for their support toward the pilgrims, stressing that their contributions played a significant role in the achievements recorded during the exercise.

In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters and Chairman of the 2026 Hajj Ad-hoc Committee, Dr. Abdullahi Jebe, said Lagos State has an established template for the strategic implementation of Hajj operations, which has guided its activities over the years.

He said: “We have the technocrats on the ground, and we have an operational template that has assisted us over the years. Lagos is not a testing ground; we already have the manpower to deliver, and we are ready to accommodate more than 3,000 pilgrims in subsequent Hajj exercises. Lagos is known for excellence, and we have performed well again this year. We are determined to do even better in the coming years.”

Assessing the operation, Jebe highlighted the timelines set by the Saudi authorities for visa processing and payments, which initially posed a challenge but were eventually overcome through government intervention.

He said: “This year, as you know, we faced a slight challenge with the deadlines set by the Saudi authorities for visa processing, payments, and other requirements. Initially, it was difficult because many of our people are accustomed to making payments at the last minute.

However, Governor Sanwo-Olu cushioned the effect by providing financial support to help us meet the deadline. As pilgrims make their payments, the funds are returned to the government.

“We are already preparing for the next Hajj exercise, and I want to assure you that it will not be a problem for Lagos State.”

The Secretary of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. AbdulHakeem Ajomagberin, also said the coordinated efforts deployed during the 2026 Hajj operation contributed significantly to its success.

He, however, assured that more enlightenment campaigns would be conducted for intending pilgrims ahead of future exercises, particularly on the importance of early payment.