The Lagos State Government has completed the airlifting of its 2026 Hajj intending pilgrims from Nigeria to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The exercise brought the total number of Lagos pilgrims currently in the Kingdom to 1,590 out of the 1,600 initially scheduled for the spiritual journey.
The fourth and final batch departed the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, between Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13, 2026, conveying 418 pilgrims made up of 222 males and 196 females, while the fifth batch transported 145 pilgrims comprising 72 males and 73 females.
Meanwhile, pilgrims on the second and third flights have departed the city of Madinah for Makkah to continue the Hajj rites.
In line with Hajj procedures, the pilgrims departed Madinah in the state of Ihram and made a stop at the Miqat, located on the outskirts of the city, where they observed two raka’ats of nafilat prayer and declared their intention to perform Umrah in Makkah.
On arrival in Makkah, the pilgrims are expected to perform the Tawaful Qudoom, the circumambulation of the Kaabah, as well as the Sa’i between Safa and Marwa seven times each.
After completing the rites, the pilgrims are expected to shave or trim their hair before returning to their accommodation and changing from the state of Ihram to their regular clothing.
Pilgrims on the fourth and fifth flights are expected to depart Madinah between Saturday and Sunday to join other Lagos contingents in Makkah ahead of the commencement of the main Hajj rites on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar.