The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has announced that return flights for Nigerian pilgrims who participated in the 2025 Hajj exercise will commence on Monday, June 9.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Professor Abdullahi Saleh, disclosed this in Minna on Friday while extending warm Eid al-Adha greetings to the Muslim faithful.
He described the return phase as a significant part of the Hajj process and lauded the discipline and cooperation of Nigerian pilgrims during the spiritual journey.
“All praise is due to Allah for the opportunity to witness another Eid al-Adha,” Saleh stated.
“We congratulate all Muslims, particularly those who were privileged to be in Arafat this year. May Allah accept our prayers and sacrifices.”
According to Saleh, the return journey will begin on the 13th day of Dhul-Hijjah, which corresponds to June 9, 2025.
The first batch of return flights will carry pilgrims from Imo State via Air Peace, Bauchi State via Max Air, and pilgrims from Kebbi and Sokoto States via Flynas.
He urged the affected pilgrims to prepare for the journey and prayed for the smooth and successful coordination of the entire return operation.
Reflecting on the spiritual significance of Hajj, the NAHCON boss called on Muslims to internalize the lessons of faith and obedience. “We should draw inspiration from the trust and sacrifice shown by Sayyidatuna Hajara and Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon them), whose reliance on Allah brought blessings to what was once a barren land,” he said.
He emphasized that trust in divine will, discipline, and loyalty to leadership are essential ingredients for societal growth and harmony.
Saleh also commended the efforts of state Muslim pilgrims welfare boards, NAHCON staff, and ad-hoc personnel for their tireless dedication throughout the pilgrimage. “Many of our staff served while in the sacred state of ihram. Their commitment is deeply appreciated and their reward lies with Allah,” he noted.
Furthermore, he acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, describing their roles as instrumental in ensuring the smooth execution of this year’s pilgrimage.
“We also recognize the improvement in services rendered at the holy sites—Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah. NAHCON remains focused on delivering even better results in subsequent Hajj operations,” Saleh affirmed.
