NAHCON Wraps 2026 Hajj Return Airlift, 38,000 Pilgrims Home

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has finished bringing Nigerian pilgrims back from Saudi Arabia following the 2026 Hajj exercise. The concluding flight, which transported pilgrims from Zamfara State, touched down in Nigeria on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, ending a major logistical operation that involved the coordinated movement of approximately 38,000 worshippers across international routes.

NAHCON spokesperson Hajiya Fatima Sanda Usara confirmed the completion in a statement, describing the return airlift as a significant achievement that demanded extensive coordination among aviation partners, state pilgrim welfare boards, tour operators, medical teams, and security agencies. The successful conclusion of the return phase marks the end of active operations for the 2026 Hajj season.

However, 12 Nigerian pilgrims remain in various hospitals across Saudi Arabia undergoing treatment for different health conditions. NAHCON has disclosed that monitoring arrangements are in place and plans are being finalized to facilitate their safe return to Nigeria once they are discharged from medical care.

Even as the 2026 airlift concludes, NAHCON has already begun preparations for the 2027 Hajj pilgrimage. A circular communicating the start of planning activities has been distributed to relevant stakeholders, signalling the commission's shift from managing the current exercise to readying the logistics pipeline for next year's pilgrimage season.