By Kabir Alabi Garba

“Undoubtedly, the first house of worship ever to be built for mankind is the one which is at Makkah: it was blessed and made the centre of Guidance for all peoples. In it are clear Signs: there is the spot where Abraham used to worship: Then it is the sanctuary, and whoso enters it becomes safe and secure. Allah has, therefore, a right on the people that the one, who can afford to reach the house, should perform Hajj there…” Qur’an 3:96-97.

With less than four weeks to the commencement of the airlifting of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for 2026 Hajj, there has been a bee-hive of activities at the states offices/camps of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards across the country including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

These activities including inspection of facilities, enlightenment lectures, medical screening, inoculation, among others, are designed to foster comfort, safety and spiritual enrichment of the pilgrims.

For instance, the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to prevent delays in the airlift of intending pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj exercise.

Director General of the Board, Abubakar Matawalle, made the appeal while receiving a NAHCON delegation on an official visit to the state, stressing that timely airlift is critical to a smooth pilgrimage.

“We have finalised all arrangements for our intending pilgrims and expect that there will be no unnecessary delays from air carriers when the airlifting begins,” he said.

Matawalle noted that the board had completed necessary preparations, urging NAHCON to ensure efficient coordination with airlines to avoid inconveniences.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation and NAHCON Commissioner for the North-West, Muhammad Bin Usman, said the team was in Kano to assess facilities provided for pilgrims.

He explained that similar inspections were being carried out across states in the region to ensure readiness for the Hajj exercise, assuring that concerns raised would be communicated to the commission’s headquarters for prompt action.

Also speaking, the NAHCON Zonal Director for Kano, Ahmad Kalgo, commended the board for its level of preparedness and organisation.

He encouraged the board to sustain its sensitisation and enlightenment programmes, particularly in the area of Hajj induction, to ensure a successful exercise.

Similarly, the Commissioner representing the South-East at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Hajia Aishat Obi recently led a team of two officials from the Commission’s National Headquarters on an official visit to evaluate the readiness and standards of the Hajj Camp and the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Imo State.

She was joined by all members of Imo state pilgrims Board, including the Zonal Coordinator.

During their visit, the team conducted a thorough inspection of the facilities and expressed their satisfaction with the level of preparedness and infrastructure available.

They confirmed that Imo State exceeded the minimum requirements set by the Commission in every aspect of the inspection.

After the inspection, Hajia Aishat Obi praised the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, for his outstanding efforts in enhancing the airport and improving the Hajj Camp facilities. She highlighted the governor as a leader who promotes fairness and equal opportunities for all citizens, regardless of their religion or ethnicity.

She also pointed out that the facilities developed are not just for Muslims; they are open for everyone to use. According to her, the extensive renovations made to the airport in 2025 have greatly improved air travel options, allowing residents of Imo State to fly directly to international destinations without needing to travel from other states.

The Commissioner expressed her gratitude to the Airport Manager and the entire airport staff for their cooperation and support during the inspection, commending their professionalism and hospitality without any form of discrimination.

In Osun State, the two-week enlightenment programme for the intending pilgrims is on-going.

The Osun State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board designed the programme as part of preparations for the 2026 Hajj exercise with emphasis on equipping the intending pilgrims with the spiritual, physical and logistical knowledge required for a successful pilgrimage.

Chairman of the Board and Amirul Hajj, Abdul Maruf Ishola, urged intending pilgrims to see the opportunity to perform Hajj as a divine privilege that must be approached with gratitude and responsibility.

“Not everyone who has the money gets to go to Makkah. Allah chooses His guests, and you have been chosen. This is not a privilege to take lightly; it is a responsibility before Allah, before this state and before your families,” he said.

He emphasised the need for early spiritual preparation, advising pilgrims to seek forgiveness, resolve disputes and purify their intentions ahead of the journey.

“Before you board that aircraft, settle all disputes. Return what does not belong to you. Seek forgiveness from those you have wronged. Hajj begins in the heart before it begins on the road,” he added.

Ishola also urged participants to cultivate patience, describing it as essential virtue to achieving Hajj Mabrur, while stressing that the enlightenment programme should be taken seriously.

“The knowledge you acquire here will be your compass in Saudi Arabia. Do not treat this programme with levity. Attend every session and go prepared,” he said.

He, however, cautioned experienced pilgrims against misleading first-timers, urging all participants to adhere strictly to official guidelines.

In his remarks, the Board Secretary, Muritala Fakunle, charged pilgrims to conduct themselves as worthy ambassadors of the state and comply fully with the training.

He noted that the sensitisation programme remains critical to the success of the Hajj exercise, adding that attendance is compulsory for all intending pilgrims.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has intensified preparations for the 2026 Hajj, announcing the approval of visas for intending pilgrims from the state.

Chairman of the Board, Musa Uduimoh, disclosed the development during a briefing, describing the visa approval as a major milestone that reflects steady progress towards a successful pilgrimage.

“Preparations are ongoing, and we are making steady progress. The approval of visas for our intending pilgrims is a significant step forward, and it shows that we are on course for a successful Hajj exercise,” he said.

Uduimoh added that the board would soon commence medical screenings and comprehensive sensitisation programmes to educate pilgrims on the spiritual, health and logistical requirements of the pilgrimage.

He noted that the exercise is aimed at equipping pilgrims with the necessary knowledge to ensure compliance with Hajj rites and international travel protocols.

Also, the Kebbi State Government has commenced the distribution of uniforms and travel bags to intending pilgrims as part of preparations for the 2026 Hajj exercise.

Governor Nasir Idris flagged off the exercise at the Kauran Gwandu Hajj Camp in Birnin Kebbi, with the initiative aimed at ensuring proper coordination and comfort for pilgrims ahead of their journey to Saudi Arabia.

The Executive Chairman of the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Faruku Aliyu Yaro, said the items, which include uniforms for male and female pilgrims as well as travel bags, were provided to ease the pilgrimage process.

He described the gesture as unprecedented, noting that it reflects the government’s commitment to supporting pilgrims and ensuring a smooth Hajj operation.

Idris urged the intending pilgrims to reciprocate the gesture by conducting themselves responsibly and offering prayers for peace, unity and development of the state and the country.

Also speaking, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, advised the pilgrims to make proper use of the materials distributed to them.

The distribution forms part of broader measures by the state government to ensure a hitch-free Hajj, following the successful completion of visa processing for pilgrims.

It is gathered that the inaugural flight for Nigeria’s 2026 Hajj has been 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.
 
It is also gathered the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims will run between May 3 and 17, 2026.

Last year, the inaugural Hajj flight was held in Imo State, where Air Peace airlifted pilgrims from Imo, Enugu and Bayelsa states to Madinah.