The 2025 Hajj return operations for Nigerian pilgrims are recording steady progress, with a total of 6,528 pilgrims successfully airlifted back to the country as of Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
According to the latest update from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Max Air completed its 16th return flight in the early hours of Tuesday, reinforcing the Commission’s commitment to a seamless and efficient repatriation process.
The Max Air flight VM265 departed Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport for Lagos at 08:33hrs, carrying 560 passengers, including 550 pilgrims and 10 officials. The breakdown revealed that 549 pilgrims were from Oyo State, while one pilgrim hailed from Plateau State, marking another successful evacuation in the ongoing Hajj operations.
With this latest flight, the cumulative number of Nigerian pilgrims airlifted back home has reached 6,528, showcasing the collaborative efforts of NAHCON and its partner airlines in ensuring the timely and safe return of all pilgrims from Saudi Arabia.
A statement released via NAHCON’s official X (formerly Twitter) platform reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to pilgrim welfare and operational excellence.
> “We remain committed to ensuring every Nigerian pilgrim returns home safely and comfortably. The coordinated efforts of our teams and airline partners are producing positive results. We sincerely appreciate the patience, resilience, and cooperation of all pilgrims,” the statement read.
The NAHCON Command and Control Centre in Makkah continues to oversee and coordinate the Hajj return operations, offering real-time updates as the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage winds down.
So far, 16 inbound flights have been successfully executed, with more scheduled in the coming days as the Commission works to conclude the repatriation.
