Hajj Flakes – Tuesday, May 5, 2026 |18 Dhu al-Qadah 1447 AH

Hajj Flakes updates for the 2026 Hajj Season

By Abdullahi Yusuf

1. Nigeria’s 2026 Hajj airlift enters Day 3 following a coordinated start on Sunday, flagged off by Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja.
2. On Day 1, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria airlifted 2,111 pilgrims across five flights from four departure points, Abuja, Kebbi, Lagos and Ogun marking a multi-location rollout.
3. Abuja recorded the highest traffic, with over 1,000 pilgrims and two flights, reinforcing its role as a primary hub.
4. As of today, a total of 4,695 Nigerian pilgrims have been airlifted, with: 2,673 arriving in Madinah 345 arriving in Jeddah. So far, 11 flights have been operated.
5. Airline performance indicates: MaxAir: 905 pilgrims (2 flights) Flynas: 845 pilgrims (2 flights) UMZA Aviation: 953 pilgrims (2 flights) Air Peace: 375 pilgrims (1 flight)
6. State-by-state departures so far include: Kebbi: 845 Nasarawa: 560 Jigawa: 480 Kogi: 473 Ogun: 345 Oyo: 315
7. Saudi authorities have completed the installation of 74 escalators in Mina through Kidana Development Company to ease pilgrim movement and improve safety.
8. The Kingdom has also expanded shading and cooling infrastructure at Mount Arafat, covering over 272,000 square metres with canopies and misting systems.
9. A cybersecurity exercise coordinated by the National Cybersecurity Authority has been concluded in Jeddah to strengthen digital protection for Hajj operations.
10. Saudi Arabia has introduced a digital ID system via the Absher platform, allowing pilgrims to move within the Kingdom without carrying physical passports.
11. NAHCON has launched the “Hajj Companion App”, a digital platform offering GPS navigation, multilingual guides (Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo), a 24/7 call centre, and a complaint system to improve pilgrim experience.
12. Saudi authorities have reiterated that only pilgrims with valid Hajj permits will be allowed to perform Hajj, warning that visit visa holders will be denied access and penalised.
13. Health authorities continue to emphasise mandatory meningitis vaccination, with between 10,000–12,000 doses administered annually to protect pilgrims.
14. Flynas has announced plans to airlift 147,000 pilgrims from 18 countries over 33 days, reflecting the scale of global Hajj logistics.
15. Taraba State has commenced vaccination of intending pilgrims, with airlift scheduled for May 10 and 12, as authorities stress compliance with Saudi health regulations.

Did You Know?

16. Saudi Arabia allocates Hajj slots based on a country’s Muslim population. Quotas ensure fairness, safety, and smooth logistics in hosting millions in a short window.

17. Hajj quotas ensure fairness, safety, and manageable logistics. They prevent overcrowding, streamline pilgrim flow, and allow nations and Saudi Arabia to coordinate effectively during Hajj.

18. Over 4,000 years ago, Zamzam sprang forth at the feet of baby Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him) when his mother, Hajira, desperately searched for water in the barren valley of Makkah.

19. Hajira ran seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa in search of water, an act now eternally commemorated as part of the Hajj and Umrah rituals.

20. Despite strict U.S. laws against bringing foreign liquids into the country, Zamzam water is a rare exception, permitted for returning pilgrims due to its religious significance.

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