By Soliu Oyesiji
The inaugural flight for Nigeria’s 2026 Hajj is scheduled to take place in Bauchi State on May 3, barring any last-minute changes.
A senior official of the Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board disclosed that Umza Airline is expected to operate the first flight from the state, marking the commencement of this year’s airlift of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
The official said that based on the resolution reached in a meeting presided over by NAHCON and other states’ Muslim pilgrims’ boards executives, it was unanimously agreed that Bauchi would host the inaugural flight unless there are subsequent changes.
“We all agreed that the first flight will take place in Bauchi, unless there is any adjustment, ,” the official said.
Findings by Hajj Reporters indicate that the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims will begin on May 3 and end on May 17, with a total of 16 days set aside for the operation.
In 2025, the inaugural Hajj flight was held in Imo State, where Air Peace airlifted pilgrims from Imo, Enugu and Bayelsa states to Madinah.
