The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced that it will begin airlifting intending pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj exercise on May 14, 2026.
The Director General of the Board, Abubakar Matawalle, made the announcement on Monday during the closing ceremony of the Hajj induction course held at the School for Arabic Studies in Kano. The programme is part of final preparations for the annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
According to him, the schedule was released by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, with Kano State set to operate its first flight on the stipulated date using Max Air as the official carrier.
Matawalle also noted that all necessary logistics and arrangements have been concluded ahead of time to ensure a smooth airlift process and an orderly start to the operation.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Yusuf Lawan, used the occasion to advise pilgrims to take their preparation seriously, encouraging them to consistently review their Hajj training materials to better understand the rituals and expectations of the journey.
He further reminded the pilgrims to comply strictly with regulations issued by both Nigerian authorities and the Saudi Arabian government to ensure a safe and successful pilgrimage.
Representatives from key agencies and service partners—including Immigration, the NDLEA, the Hajj Tribunal, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Max Air, and Hisbah—were also present at the event, where they delivered guidance and briefings to the intending pilgrims.
