All 1,600 Lagos pilgrims who participated in the 2026 Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have safely returned home to reunite with their families.
The arrival of the final batch of 187 pilgrims on Saturday marked the successful conclusion of the state’s 2026 Hajj operations.

Speaking with journalists at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, the Amir-ul-Hajj and Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, described the pilgrimage exercise as successful and well-coordinated.

Layode attributed the success to the exemplary conduct of the pilgrims and the early preparations made by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

“We give all glory to Almighty God for the successful completion of this year’s Hajj exercise to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was a success achieved through teamwork and a shared sense of purpose,” he said.

“Despite the strict deadlines set by the Saudi authorities for early payments and documentation, we commenced preparations early, which made the entire operation easier. We also conducted comprehensive health checks, orientation programmes, and provided welfare packages for the pilgrims.”

The commissioner commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Dr Kadri Hamzat for their support, noting that their interventions contributed significantly to the success of the exercise.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters and Chairman of the 2026 Hajj Ad-hoc Committee, Dr Abdullahi Jebe, said Lagos State had developed a reliable operational template that has continued to guide its Hajj management over the years.

“We have experienced professionals on ground and a tested operational framework that has consistently worked for us. Lagos is not a test-run ground; we already have the manpower and capacity to deliver,” he said.

According to him, the state is prepared to accommodate over 3,000 pilgrims in future Hajj exercises.

“Lagos is known for excellence. We have done well again this year and we are determined to improve further in the coming years,” he added.

Jebe acknowledged that the early payment deadline imposed by Saudi authorities initially posed a challenge but said the state government intervened to ease the burden on intending pilgrims.

“This year, we faced challenges with the deadlines for visa processing and payments because many pilgrims are used to late payments.

However, Governor Sanwo-Olu provided financial support to help us meet the deadlines. Pilgrims later refunded the money to the government after making their payments,” he explained.

He expressed confidence that similar challenges would not affect future Hajj operations in the state.

The Secretary of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, AbdulHakeem Ajomagberin, also praised the level of coordination among officials, saying it contributed greatly to the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.

He added that the board would intensify enlightenment campaigns for prospective pilgrims, especially on the importance of early payment and documentation.

Some of the returning pilgrims also expressed satisfaction with the exercise, commending Governor Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Hamzat, the Amir-ul-Hajj, and other officials for prioritising their welfare throughout the spiritual journey.