Hajj 2026 flag-off in pictures

Vice-president Shettima, Ododo, flags off airlift at Abuja international airport as senior officials and traditional leaders attend opening of Nigeria’s pilgrimage operations.

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, on Sunday led a gathering of senior government officials, lawmakers and traditional leaders at the flag-off of the 2026 Hajj inaugural flight ceremony at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

Among those present were Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo; Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Ismail Abba Yusuf; Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, representing Nyesom Wike; and the Honorable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barista Festus Keyamo, represented by Mr. Uzo Emeka from the Ministry of Aviation.

Also in attendance were the Chairman of the House Committee on Muslim Pilgrimage, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Auditor-General for Local Government in Kogi State, Hon. Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, and His Royal Highness, Idris Musa, who represented the Sultan of Sokoto, President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

The ceremony marked the formal commencement of Nigeria’s 2026 Hajj operations, with officials overseeing final preparations ahead of the airlift of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

Scenes from the 2026 Hajj airlift inauguration below: