We’ve begun preparations for 2025 Hajj, says NAHCON

Jalal Arabi, chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), says preparations for the 2025 Hajj are under way.

In a statement, Fatima Sanda-Usara, NAHCON’s spokesperson, said Arabi spoke while bidding farewell to the last batch of Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

Arabi expressed confidence that the 2025 Hajj would be a success due to the “lessons learned this year”.

He thanked Allah for the successful completion of the 2024 Hajj return journey.

He lauded stakeholders for their cooperation and pilgrims for their prayers. 

The chairman encouraged pilgrims to continue praying for the success of their leaders and to uphold good behaviour.

Arabi described the 2024 Hajj as a “promise fulfilled”.

He said the commission operated 121 flights during the initial phase of the 2024 Hajj, which was reduced to 119 for the return trip.

He attributed the reduction to the “efficient utilisation of seats on the return trips”.

“The return journey ended three days ahead of schedule, which was originally planned to conclude by July 19,” he said.

“The commission’s chartered airlines took 27 days to transport all the pilgrims into the Kingdom during the first phase, with the return phase now lasting 25 days.

“By the 25th day of the outbound flight from Nigeria, 47,171 pilgrims were transported, while 50,091 returned to Nigeria within the same 25-day period of the second phase.”