About 343 Lagos pilgrims have arrived at King AbdulAzeez International Airport in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, for the 2026 hajj. The group, consisting of 169 males and 174 females, arrived on flight XY8504 operated by Flynas Airline. The flight departed from the Pilgrims and Cargo Terminal at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Friday.
Taofeek Lawal, Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Pilgrims Welfare Board, confirmed the arrival in a statement. He described the airlift as a significant milestone in the state's efforts to support pilgrims. The state government has approved arrangements to ensure adequate support for pilgrims both in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
Ibrahim Layode, Commissioner for Home Affairs and Amir-ul-Hajj, urged pilgrims to remain law-abiding and prayerful during their stay. He assured them that their welfare would be a top priority. Anofiu Elegushi, Commissioner for Operations at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), praised the organisation of the airlift. He credited the state government and NAHCON for the peaceful and coordinated departure.
Dr Abdullahi Jebe, Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters and Chairman of the Hajj Ad hoc Committee, called the first batch's departure encouraging. He thanked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, NAHCON, Flynas Airline, FAAN, security agencies, and pilgrims for their cooperation. Some pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the preparation and coordination by the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.
Lagos has 1,600 intending pilgrims for the 2026 hajj. The second and third batches are set to depart on Sunday. The fourth batch will leave on Tuesday, with the final group flying out on Wednesday, May 13.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu's administration celebrates a smooth start to the 2026 hajj airlift, yet the same government enforced a policy limiting pilgrim allowances in 2023. While 343 pilgrims are now in Madinah, the state's past cost-cutting measures raised concerns about welfare commitments. The current praise from officials and pilgrims hinges on logistics, not the consistency of support. If excellence is now the standard, it contradicts earlier decisions that affected pilgrim comfort.
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