The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has officially announced that the transportation of Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2025 Hajj back to their country will commence on June 9. This development was disclosed by the Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh, in a statement issued in Mina on Friday, coinciding with the celebration of Eid-Al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice.

According to Prof. Saleh, the commission has put in place all necessary arrangements to ensure a smooth and hitch-free transportation of the pilgrims back to Nigeria. The announcement has brought relief to the thousands of Nigerian pilgrims who have been in Saudi Arabia for the past few weeks, performing the sacred rites of the Hajj.

The NAHCON Chairman/CEO, while congratulating the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of Eid-Al-Adha, expressed his gratitude to the Saudi Arabian authorities for their hospitality and support towards Nigerian pilgrims throughout their stay in the Kingdom. He also commended the pilgrims for their cooperation and adherence to the rules and regulations guiding the Hajj exercise.

Prof. Saleh assured the pilgrims that the commission has made adequate arrangements for their transportation, accommodation, and feeding during the return journey. He also appealed to the pilgrims to remain calm and patient, as the commission works tirelessly to ensure that everyone is transported back to Nigeria safely and comfortably.

The transportation of pilgrims back to Nigeria is expected to be carried out in batches, with the first batch departing on June 9. The commission has advised pilgrims to ensure that they are at the designated assembly points on time, with all their luggage and personal belongings, to avoid any delays or inconveniences.

NAHCON has been working closely with the Saudi Arabian authorities, airlines, and other stakeholders to ensure that the transportation of pilgrims back to Nigeria is carried out without any hitches. The commission has also established a team of officials who will be responsible for coordinating the transportation exercise, providing assistance to pilgrims, and addressing any challenges that may arise during the journey.

The return journey is expected to be a complex operation, involving the transportation of thousands of pilgrims from different locations in Saudi Arabia to Nigeria. However, with the experience and expertise of NAHCON, as well as the support of the Saudi Arabian authorities, the exercise is expected to be successful.

The announcement of the commencement date for the transportation of pilgrims back to Nigeria coincided with the celebration of Eid-Al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice. The festival, which is one of the most important celebrations in the Islamic calendar, commemorates the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son, Ismail (Ishmael), in obedience to Allah’s command.

The celebration of Eid-Al-Adha is a time of great joy and festivity for Muslims all over the world, and Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia were not left out. They joined millions of Muslims from different parts of the world to perform the sacred rites of the festival, including the sacrifice of animals and the distribution of meat to the poor and needy.