By Ibrahim Muhammad
National Coordinator
Independent Hajj Reporters
As Nigeria prepares to begin the airlift of pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj in a few days, the approved Hajj Air Carriers should ensure they strictly adhere to their airlift schedule to avoid a repeat of the administrative disasters experienced by other countries, most notably Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Following the conclusion of the 2024 Hajj, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah released a detailed calendar for the 2025 Hajj, with strict deadlines for all critical activities such as pilgrim registration, visa issuance, and service provider agreements. Unlike in previous years, Saudi authorities have maintained these deadlines without offering any extensions except in a case where the Pakistani President personally pleaded for the reopening of Nusuk to accommodate more Pakistani private Hajj pilgrims
Countries that misjudged this policy shift are now facing severe consequences. Pakistan lost a staggering 77,000 private Hajj slots, while Bangladesh forfeited 6,500, due to failure in registering their pilgrims on the Saudi Hajj portal within the stipulated timeframe. In Pakistan’s case, the government had hoped for an extension, one that never came. The result: only 12,500 out of 89,801 allocated private slots were utilised. The matter is now under investigation by Pakistan’s federal authorities following orders from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
A similar fate could befall any country that may want to rely on an extension of time for the airlift of its intending pilgrims.
With Nigeria’s airlift operations imminent, all hands must be on deck to ensure full compliance with the GACA airlift schedule deadline, which fixes the end of arrival for Saturday, 31st of May 2025.
Given the above, State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards should ensure the readiness of their pilgrim as at when is due. Hajj Air Carriers should understand the heavy contractual task on their shoulders, and NAHCON must lead a coordinated effort anchored on speed, discipline, and foresight to avoid costly oversights that could deny thousands of Nigerian pilgrims their sacred journey.
The Pakistan and Bangladesh examples stand as clear warnings: when it comes to Hajj, there are no longer second chances.
