Just 72 hours to the scheduled date for the 2025 Hajj inaugural flight, uncertainty surrounds the venue of the high-profile event as the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has yet to make an official announcement, sparking confusion among state pilgrims’ boards and stakeholders.
The inaugural flight, officially slated for Friday, May 9, 2025, has been caught in a tug-of-claims between Niger and Kebbi states, both of which have, at different times, announced their selection as the host of the first airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
On Tuesday, the Niger State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board issued a press release declaring that the inaugural flight would take off from the state. The statement quoted the executive secretary as confirming that UMZA Aviation Services, the designated air carrier for Niger State pilgrims, would commence the airlift of 2,881 registered pilgrims on Friday.
“The Board is in full swing, with officials working diligently to ensure that every aspect of the journey is meticulously planned,” the statement read.
However, prior to Niger’s announcement, Kebbi State had made a similar claim following a courtesy visit by the NAHCON Chairman to the state’s Muslim Pilgrims Board and hajj stakeholders, fuelling expectations that the state had been selected to host the maiden flight.
The confusion intensified after an unnamed senior official at NAHCON told Hajj Reporters that Niger State’s claim “is not true” and that the Commission “is still considering other options”.
Earlier today, a credible source had informed HAJJ REPORTERS that “NAHCON has secure approval to organize the inaugural flight in Imo State.
“Yes, Imo state will host the inaugural flight. The decision was arrived at after NAHCON meet with Vice President yesterday” the sources said”
Another official expressed concern over the delay and the conflicting announcements, calling the situation “unprecedented”.
“This is the first time we are having this kind of confusion over which state will hold the inaugural flight with less than three days to go,” the official said. “It’s not a good development, and I hope this will not reflect how the airlifts will be conducted this year.”
That the states are the ones making announcements about inaugural flights shows something is fundamentally wrong. The inaugural flight is an NAHCON-coordinated event, and NAHCON is the ones to make any pronouncements to that effect. It is after then that the state can make public statements.”
Adding to the uncertainty, several state pilgrim boards that had earlier released flight schedules have since revised their dates, citing last-minute changes from Airliners.
Observers and stakeholders have raised concerns about the lack of clear communication from NAHCON and the implications it may have for the coordination and success of the 2025 Hajj operations.
As of press time, NAHCON had yet to issue a formal statement on the final choice of state for the inaugural flight, leaving both officials and intending pilgrims in limbo.
“However, an official who spoke to HAJJ REPORTERS under anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly said, NAHCON is carefully evaluating the preparedness of states and the airline that will hold the inaugural flight, and we will soon make official announcements. There is no cause for alarm.”
