MEDINA, SAUDI ARABIA – The spiritual journey for Oyo State’s 2026 Hajj contingent officially commenced on Monday as the first batch of 315 intending pilgrims arrived safely at the Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina.
The pilgrims, comprising 155 males and 160 females, touched down at approximately 9:00 a.m. local time aboard an Air Peace flight (APK7902). Their arrival marks a significant milestone in the state’s 2026 Hajj operations, which will see a total of 1,036 pilgrims from the “Pacesetter State” participate in this year’s rites.
Seamless Arrival and Logistics
Upon arrival, the contingent was led by a high-powered delegation from the Oyo State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board. Notable officials present included Alhaji Rasheed Yusuf Olayiwola Biznillah, Alhaji Amusat Ayuba Agboola, Alhaji (Imam) AbdulMajeed Olanase, Alhaji Daud Bolaji Afolabi, and Alhaji Abdulrahmon Bakare Agbotomokekere.
The Secretary of the Board, Mr. Kamorudeen Babatunde Fasasi, who accompanied the flight, commended the pilgrims for their exemplary conduct and discipline during the departure process at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
”We have put all necessary arrangements in place to ensure that our pilgrims enjoy a smooth, safe, and spiritually fulfilling stay here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Fasasi stated, acting on behalf of the Board Chairman, Sheikh Wahab Atere Hashim Olamide, JP.
Refund Policy and Welfare
In a move that has been widely lauded, the Board Secretary also addressed financial concerns, announcing that pilgrims who inadvertently paid above the officially stipulated Hajj fare for 2026 would receive their refunds shortly.
The Oyo State government has prioritized pilgrim welfare this year, following recent efforts to upgrade local facilities. While this batch departed from Lagos, the state is currently intensifying efforts to ensure future Hajj airlifts can take off directly from the Samuel Ladoke Akintola International Airport in Ibadan.
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National Context
The Oyo contingent joins over 2,100 Nigerian pilgrims who have already arrived in the Holy Land. According to data from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), airlifts are proceeding efficiently across several zones, with carriers like Air Peace, FlyNas, and Max Air operating around the clock to meet the 50,000-pilgrim national quota.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Oyo pilgrims have been settled into their pre-arranged accommodations in Medina, where they will spend several days performing religious observances before proceeding to Mecca for the core Hajj rites.
