By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has reiterated its commitment to pilgrims affected by the recent closure of visa issuance.

The Commission disclosed that it is working closely with relevant Saudi authorities, alongside other impacted nations, to explore possibilities for reopening the visa portal.

?The Commission remains hopeful for a positive outcome,? said NAHCON?s Assistant Director of Information and Publications, Fatima Sanda Usara, in a statement Wednesday May 28, 2025, adding that if granted, another special arrangement will be made to ensure all registered pilgrims are airlifted to the holy land.

To this effect, a team of NAHCON staff remains on the ground to manage logistics and support pending developments.

The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, departed Nigeria for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aboard a special flight arranged by the Commission.

Accompanying the Chairman were other key NAHCON officials and 22 pilgrims who had earlier been unable to travel due to various constraints. The affected pilgrims include 13 from Nasarawa State, three from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and six from Kaduna State.

The special airlift comes a day after FlyNas concluded the official conveyance of Nigerian pilgrims under the government quota. The final batch, comprising 402 pilgrims from Kebbi State, was airlifted on Tuesday, May 27, ahead of the originally slated May 29th schedule.

Leading the Kebbi State contingent were the State Amirul Hajj and the Executive Secretary of the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Malam Faruqu Aliyu Yaro.

So far, 41,546 Nigerian pilgrims have been successfully transported to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj, which commenced on May 9. FlyNas, one of the accredited carriers, completed its operations earlier than expected.

Meanwhile, two private flights operated by UMZA Aviation are scheduled for May 29 and 30 to convey tour operator groups and interested VIPs.

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