Lagos State has once again reinforced its reputation for excellence in Hajj administration following the successful return of approximately 1,600 pilgrims who participated in the 2026 pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia without any major incident.
The achievements have been attributed, by the State Government, to meticulous planning, teamwork, and the exemplary conduct of Lagos pilgrims throughout their stay in the Holy Land.
The arrival of the final batch of 187 pilgrims at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, yesterday marked the official conclusion of the state’s 2026 Hajj operations.
Speaking with journalists at the airport, the Amir-ul-Hajj and Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, described the exercise as one of the most successful in recent years.
Layode said: “We give all glory to Almighty God for the successful completion of this year’s Hajj journey to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was a success achieved through teamwork, commitment, and a clear sense of purpose.”
The commissioner noted that Lagos State began preparations early, enabling authorities to meet stringent deadlines imposed by Saudi authorities for payments, visa processing, and other logistical arrangements.
According to him, pilgrims underwent comprehensive medical screening, orientation programmes, and received welfare support packages designed to ensure a smooth and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage.
Layode also commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Hamzat for their unwavering support, describing their intervention as instrumental to the success recorded during the exercise.
“The support and commitment of the state government played a significant role in ensuring that our pilgrims had a seamless experience from departure to their safe return home,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters and Chairman of the 2026 Hajj Ad-hoc Committee, Dr. Abdullahi Jebe, said Lagos State’s consistent success in Hajj operations stems from an established operational framework developed over the years.
“We have the manpower, the experience, and a tested template that has continued to guide our operations successfully,” Jebe said. “Lagos is not a test-run ground. We have the capacity to deliver and are ready to accommodate more than 3,000 pilgrims in future Hajj exercises.”
Jebe explained that one of the major challenges encountered this year was the early payment deadline introduced by Saudi authorities. However, he said the state government intervened promptly to ensure intending pilgrims met all requirements within the stipulated timeframe.
He disclosed that Governor Sanwo-Olu provided financial support that enabled Lagos pilgrims to beat the deadline, noting that beneficiaries later reimbursed the government after completing their payments.
“Initially, the timeline was challenging because many pilgrims are accustomed to late payments, but the governor’s intervention helped us overcome the obstacle and maintain our schedule,” he said.
The Secretary of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, AbdulHakeem Ajomagberin, also praised the coordinated efforts of government officials, board members, and stakeholders involved in the operation.
According to him, the collaboration among all parties contributed significantly to the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage and the safe return of all participants.
Ajomagberin added that the board would intensify public enlightenment campaigns ahead of future Hajj exercises, particularly on the importance of early payment and compliance with timelines set by Saudi authorities.