The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has assured the inbound airlift of pilgrims to Nigeria will not exceed the time limit stipulated by the Saudi Arabia authorities.

NAHCON gave the assurance on Saturday in wake of the raising concern over a seem slow pace of return flights operation leaving about 21,541 pilgrims waiting to return home after a successful pilgrimage.

According to the Hajj Commission, 19 states including Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Armed Forces among others are yet to commence the conveyance of their pilgrims to Nigeria.

In a release issued on Saturday, the commission explained that the return schedule is determined by the airlift slots secured by the designated airlines from the relevant Saudi aviation authorities.

NAHCON however insisted that the designated carriers have been warned to adhere strictly by the 19 days agreement entered to complete the inbound flight operations.

Besides, the commission made it clear that it will not hesitate to invoke a contingency rescue plan should any of the four national designated carriers failed to meet up with the agreement.

NAHCON therefore advised Max Air, Flynas, Air Peace and Umza air, the designated carriers to take measures to complete the airlift within the agreed 19 days window, which had been planned to cover period of pilgrims’ accommodation, feeding, transport and medical services.

“As at time of this report, a total of 17, 347 have been transported from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria. Some states have successfully concluded the return journey of their pilgrims, while others have reached various stages of completion.

“States that have completed their return airlift include Nasarawa, Gombe, Kogi, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Jigawa, Kwara and Plateau. While Lagos, Kebbi and FCT (Federal Capital Territory) have gone above 65% — 80%

“However some states are yet to commence their return flights and this is due to NAHCON’s policy of first-in-first-out enforced on each airline. For instance, pilgrims from the South-South states departed Nigeria on 19th May, 2026, while Kano pilgrims commenced their outbound airlift from Nigeria on 16th May, 2026 and Kaduna pilgrims on 14th May, 2026.

“States yet to begin the return journey are Adamawa, Armed Forces, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara states. As for Adamawa and Taraba states that began their airlift fairly early, their official carrier is still airlifting its allocated pilgrims proportionate to its secured airlift slots”. The commission noted.

The commission’s Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, assured all pilgrims, their families and general public of the timely return of every Nigerian pilgrim. He added that no Nigerian pilgrims will be left beyond the stipulated deadline in Saudi Arabia.

Recall that Kano Amirul Hajj and Emir of Gaya Alh. Aliyu Abubakar had led the state delegation to Umuljud headquarters of the commission demanding quick return of about 3,600 pilgrims back to Nigeria.

The traditional ruler lamented what he considered as unfair treatment of Kano contingents during the outbound flight to Saudi Arabia, urgent the commission to consider accelerated airlift of Kano Pilgrims’ back home.

The airlift of pilgrims from Kano commenced on May 15, 2026, exactly one week before the closure of Saudi airspace to incoming Hajj pilgrims. Worse still, a flight schedule originally designed to complete the transportation of Kano pilgrims within four days eventually stretched to seven days.

The delayed arrival inadvertently affected the pilgrims’ spiritual activities in Madinah, forcing many of them to shorten their stay in the Prophet’s City instead of observing the recommended three-day period.