The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has officially concluded the 2025 Hajj return airlift operations with the departure of the final flight from Jeddah to Nigeria on Tuesday morning.
The last flight, which departed at approximately 10:30 a.m., conveyed 88 pilgrims from Kaduna State and one pilgrim from Katsina, bringing an end to a return airlift operation that spanned 20 days, beginning on June 13.
Speaking during a farewell ceremony for the pilgrims, NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullah Saleh Usman, expressed his gratitude to Allah for a smooth and successful Hajj season.“We thank the Almighty for granting Nigeria a safe and orderly Hajj operation. This success was made possible by the spirit of unity and cooperation among the State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, airline operators, service providers, and most importantly, the pilgrims themselves,” Professor Usman stated.
The Chairman urged the returning pilgrims to continue to pray for Nigeria, particularly for peace, stability, and good leadership. He also highlighted the significance of relationships formed during the pilgrimage. “Hajj is not just a spiritual journey but also a means to build bonds of unity and understanding. I encourage you all to maintain the friendships you’ve developed and become ambassadors of peace and harmony,” he said.
He was flanked at the farewell by Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, Commission Secretary Dr. Mustapha Alli, Special Assistant to the President on Hajj Matters, Ameen Amshi, and several other senior staff of the Commission. Together, they offered prayers for the pilgrims’ safe journey back to Nigeria.
Professor Usman also reaffirmed NAHCON’s commitment to improving future Hajj operations, saying “NAHCON will continue to enhance its service delivery in line with international standards to ensure the welfare and comfort of Nigerian pilgrims.”
The conclusion of the 2025 Hajj return operation marks another milestone in NAHCON’s efforts to streamline pilgrimage logistics and strengthen its institutional performance.
By Mubarak Mahmood
