343 Lagos Pilgrims Arrive Madinah as 2026 Hajj Airlift Begins Successfully
The 2026 Hajj operation for Lagos State has officially commenced on a successful note as no fewer than 343 intending pilgrims from the state safely arrived in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, to begin the sacred pilgrimage exercise.
The pilgrims, made up of 169 males and 174 females, departed from the Pilgrims and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport aboard a Flynas Airline Airbus XY8504 at exactly 6:26 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026, before landing safely at the King AbdulAzeez International Airport.
The successful inaugural flight marks a major milestone in the state government’s preparations for the 2026 pilgrimage and reinforces its commitment to ensuring a seamless, safe, and spiritually rewarding Hajj experience for all pilgrims from Lagos State.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the departure, Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode assured pilgrims and their families that the welfare and well-being of the contingent would remain a top priority throughout their stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
According to him, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu had approved all necessary arrangements to guarantee adequate support services for the pilgrims both in Nigeria and in Saudi Arabia.
He urged the pilgrims to remain law-abiding, prayerful, and worthy ambassadors of Lagos State and Nigeria during the spiritual exercise.
Also commenting on the exercise, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi commended the smooth coordination of the airlift operation, describing it as a reflection of effective collaboration between the Lagos State Government and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.
He praised the intending pilgrims for their patience, discipline, and orderly conduct, expressing optimism that the entire Hajj operation would proceed successfully and end with the safe return of all pilgrims.
In the same vein, Abdullahi Ahmad Jebe described the commencement of the airlift as highly encouraging and commendable, noting that the smooth departure of the first batch further demonstrated the state government’s commitment to excellence in Hajj administration.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, officials of NAHCON, stakeholders, Flynas Airline, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, security agencies, and the pilgrims themselves for their cooperation and support toward the successful take-off of the operation.
Several pilgrims who spoke to journalists also lauded the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for the level of preparation, coordination, and welfare arrangements put in place ahead of the journey, stressing that the smooth departure reflected the government’s dedication to pilgrims’ comfort, safety, and overall welfare.
Lagos State is expected to airlift a total of 1,600 intending pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj exercise. The second and third batches are scheduled to depart on Sunday, May 10, while the fourth batch will leave on Tuesday, May 12. The final batch is expected to depart on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.