Di National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) don announce say di first airlift for 2026 Hajj pilgrims go start on May 3.

One statement from NAHCON spokesperson, Fatima Sanda Usara, say di first flight go take off from Gateway International Airport for Abeokuta, di capital of Ogun State, with FlyNas airline.

Di statement say dis na di first time Ogun State pilgrims go take off from dia state capital, because of di new airport wey dem build.

Sanda tok say, "Oda flights wey go take off di same day na Umza and Max Air from Abuja, wey go carry Kogi and Nasarawa state pilgrims respectively, Air Peace from Lagos go carry Oyo State pilgrims, while anoda FlyNas flight go take off from Birnin Kebbi."

But she still tok say NAHCON staff, including ad hoc members of di National Medical Team, don already leave today, Tuesday 28th April, to go prepare for Nigerian pilgrims wey go arrive.

She add say, "NAHCON dey advise pilgrims make dem remember say airlift by each carrier go dey happen one zone at a time. Once dem don complete airlift from one zone and move to di next one, di carrier no go return to dat zone again. Any pilgrim wey miss dia flight from dat zone go carry di wahala of finding di next available flight. Oda problems wey fit happen na to wait until dem regroup dem for di journey.

"Secondly, make pilgrims know say dem must travel strictly with dia group of 45 people, and dia Nusuk cards go dey ready and dey wait for dem for Saudi Arabia. So every pilgrim suppose confirm and know di members of dia group before di journey."

She advise pilgrims to collect di contact details of dia group leaders and di State officials wey go follow dem for di flight.

"Di NAHCON Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, dey assure Nigerian intending pilgrims say di Commission don put all necessary preparations for place to make sure say 2026 Hajj exercise go smooth and successful."