By Mikail Mumuni in Madinah
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has reassured intending pilgrims who are affected by the recent visa closure that the Commission, along with other affected countries, continues to engage with relevant Saudi authorities to explore avenues for reopening of visa issuance to enable them participate in the Hajj exercise.
Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director , Information and Publications,NAHCON, said this in a press statement on Wednesday, 28th May, 2025.
She said there is optimism for a positive outcome, and when that is realized, the Commission will immediately transport the registered pilgrims for the Hajj in a special arrangement.
Usara added that “To facilitate this, a few NAHCON staff remain on ground to attend to necessary issues.”
NAHCON also said it
is pleased to announce that FlyNas has officially concluded conveyance of Nigerian pilgrims from the government quota with the airlift of Kebbi state pilgrims yesterday 27th May 2025.
Usara said “41,546 pilgrims had arrived the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj exercise which started on the 9th of May. FlyNas was earlier slated to return for conveyance of Kebbi VIPs and few pilgrims on 29th.
“Leading the Kebbi State contingent were the State Amirul Hajj and Malam Faruqu Aliyu Yaro, the Kebbi state Pilgrims Welfare Board Executive Secretary in the company of 402 Kebbi pilgrims.”
She added that “…a special flight has been scheduled for today 28th May to transport the NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman and key officials of the Commission. 22 pilgrims who were previously unable to travel due to various reasons are among today’s passengers. These include 13 intending pilgrims from Nasarawa State, three from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and six from Kaduna State.
“In addition, UMZA Aviation is scheduled to conduct two private flights for Tour Operators on the 29th and 30th of May. Other VIPs have indicated interest in joining the flights.”