The Presidency has approved four airlines to serve as the official carriers for Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2025 Hajj. The announcement was made by the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, who revealed that the selection was made from 11 airline companies that submitted applications for the critical role.
The approved airlines—Air Peace Limited, Fly-Nas, Max Air, and UMZA Aviation Services Limited—emerged after a rigorous screening process conducted by a 32-member Aviation Screening Committee inaugurated by Prof. Usman on November 26, 2024.
The committee’s membership comprised representatives from diverse sectors, including State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB). Additional members were drawn from the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and NAHCON Board members representing various geopolitical zones. Senior NAHCON officials from departments such as Aviation, Procurement, Legal, Internal Audit, and Special Duties also contributed to the selection process.
In addition to the main air carriers, NAHCON approved three excess cargo operators for the 2025 Hajj: Aglow Aviation Support Services Limited, Cargozeal Technology Limited, and Qualla Investment Limited.
Prof. Usman commended the selected companies and urged them to uphold the commitments they made during the screening process, ensuring smooth and efficient operations for Nigerian pilgrims.
NAHCON Signs 2025 Hajj MoU in Saudi Arabia
In a related development, NAHCON has formalized its preparations for the 2025 Hajj by signing the Hajj Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia. The agreement, signed on January 12, 2025, in Jeddah, sets the framework for Nigeria’s participation in this year’s pilgrimage.
The Nigerian delegation, led by Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, included key dignitaries such as Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs; Hon. Jafaru Muhammed Ali, Chairman of the House Committee on Muslim Pilgrimage; Dr. Ibrahim Modibbo, Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Riyadh; Ambassador Mu’azzam I. J. Nayaya, Nigeria’s Consul General in Jeddah; and Ambassador Mahmud Lele from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was represented by its Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Abdulfatah Masahat.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prof. Usman expressed appreciation to the Saudi government for its continued cooperation with Nigeria and reaffirmed NAHCON’s commitment to ensuring a seamless Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims.
This significant milestone underscores the robust preparations underway to facilitate the spiritual journey of thousands of Nigerian Muslims in 2025.
