OGUN PLANS GATEWAY AIR HAJJ OPERATIONS FOR SOUTH-WEST PILGRIMS
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By: Muftau Fatimo
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has disclosed plans by the state-owned Gateway Air to airlift Ogun pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, while also exploring opportunities to transport intending pilgrims from other South-West states.
Abiodun said the state was considering participation in the emerging private-sector-driven Hajj airlift system, particularly for pilgrims from Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states.
The governor made this known on Friday when he received a delegation from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), led by its Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, at his office.
According to Abiodun, Ogun State is interested in chartering an aircraft under the Gateway Air brand to transport its pilgrims directly from the Gateway International Airport to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
He said the move was informed by the successful airlift of Ogun pilgrims from the airport during the last Hajj exercise, noting that the state believed it could provide the service efficiently.
Abiodun commended NAHCON for its support and collaboration during the previous Hajj operation, describing the partnership as instrumental to the successful transportation of the pilgrims.
He said the state had invested heavily in the Gateway International Airport and Gateway Air, adding that allowing Ogun pilgrims to depart directly from the airport would enable residents to fully benefit from the facilities.
The governor also welcomed the new regulations governing private-sector participation in Hajj operations, saying Ogun would explore opportunities created by the policy.
On religious harmony, Abiodun said Ogun had remained peaceful throughout his administration, attributing the development to the cordial relationship among residents regardless of their religious affiliations.
He also expressed support for NAHCON’s proposal for South-West states to establish a joint body, similar to the Oodua Investment structure, to coordinate Hajj operations and represent participating states.
Abiodun said he would present the proposal to other members of the Oodua Investment Group for consideration.
Earlier, Elegushi disclosed that NAHCON had commenced registration for the forthcoming Hajj, with plans to extend the initial deadline to accommodate more intending pilgrims.
He explained that the early registration was necessary because Saudi Arabian authorities require accurate figures of intending pilgrims ahead of the pilgrimage to facilitate adequate planning.
Elegushi said NAHCON was also working to secure additional Hajj slots, noting that the available allocation was currently inadequate.
He congratulated the Ogun State Government on the successful direct airlift of its pilgrims from the Gateway International Airport during the last Hajj, describing the achievement as significant to the state and the South-West.
The commissioner explained that Nigeria’s Hajj quota, which had traditionally been about 95,000 pilgrims, had gradually reduced to 50,000, with 10,000 allocated to tour operators and the remaining 40,000 shared among states.
He linked the development to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks increased private-sector participation and digitalisation of Hajj and Umrah operations.
Elegushi said Saudi Arabia had initially proposed allocating 98 per cent of Nigeria’s Hajj quota to private operators, leaving two per cent for government operations, prompting NAHCON to encourage states to begin preparing for greater private-sector involvement.
However, he identified the requirement for independent operators to have a minimum of 2,000 pilgrims as a major challenge for individual states.
He said the proposed South-West joint company could pool pilgrims from participating states to meet the requirement and enable the region to compete effectively in the private-sector Hajj market.
Elegushi further disclosed that payments for the forthcoming Hajj were ongoing and expected to be completed by December 2, 2026, while the airlift is projected to commence around late April or early May.
He also revealed that Saudi authorities had introduced about nine new health-related policies, including screening intending pilgrims for specified diseases before they are cleared for the pilgrimage.
The NAHCON commissioner commended Ogun State for complying with health protocols during the previous Hajj and urged the government to sustain its efforts ahead of the forthcoming exercise.
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