The inaugural group of Muslim pilgrims from Ogun State has successfully arrived in Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj, marking a significant achievement for both the state’s aviation sector and pilgrimage logistics. The travelers landed at King Abdulaziz International Airport around 4:15 a.m. Nigerian time, having departed from Gateway International Airport at 11:00 p.m. the previous day.
The delegation consisted of 345 pilgrims – 151 men and 194 women – along with officials from the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board. Upon arrival, Saudi Hajj authorities and airport staff welcomed them, after which they smoothly completed immigration and security checks. They were then transported by bus to their hotel accommodations in Medina to rest before the Hajj rituals begin.
This departure was historic as it represented both the start of the 2026 Hajj operations and the first international flight from Gateway International Airport. The facility, which was inaugurated on April 4, 2026, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his official visit to Ogun State, now serves as a key departure point for pilgrims.
Governor Dapo Abiodun hailed the inaugural flight as the first nonstop 4,600-kilometer journey from Iperu, emphasizing that it underscores his administration’s dedication to infrastructure development and economic growth. He stated that the event is more than just an aircraft arriving and departing; it symbolizes focus, determination, resilience, commitment, sacrifice, and teamwork. The governor added that this development creates new opportunities for connectivity and positions Ogun as a hub for commerce and global engagement.
Abiodun thanked President Tinubu for his support in completing the airport on time and praised the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria for selecting the facility as one of the Hajj operation centers. He urged the pilgrims to be exemplary representatives of Nigeria by adhering to Saudi laws and conducting themselves with discipline and integrity throughout their stay.
Speaking on behalf of NAHCON Chairman Ismail Yusuf, Commissioner for Hajj Operations Alhaji Olanrewaju Elegushi noted that the new departure point will greatly ease logistics by shortening travel time for pilgrims. He highlighted that Gateway International Airport is the first state-owned facility in South-West Nigeria authorized for Hajj operations without restrictions, attributing this to its modern infrastructure.
The Amir Hajj 2026, Alhaji Shamsideen Apelogun, described the pilgrimage as a spiritual honor and encouraged pilgrims to uphold the reputation of the state and Nigeria. The Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola, and the Chief Imam of Gbagura, Prof. Emeritus Kamaldeen Balogun, also praised the project, noting that it eliminates the need to travel to Lagos for international departures. On behalf of the pilgrims, Dr. Muritala Ejalonibu called the experience historic, and many travelers expressed excitement about being among the first to depart from the new airport.