The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has fixed May 13, 2026, for the airlift of the first batch of pilgrims for this year’s Hajj.
Director-General Abubakar Ibrahim-Matawalle announced this on Wednesday during a visit to the Kano State House of Assembly, following the official airlift schedule released by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.
According to a statement by the board’s spokesman, Sulaiman Dederi, Ibrahim-Matawalle said all logistics and administrative arrangements had been completed.
“We are fully prepared. Every necessary arrangement is in place to guarantee a smooth, safe and hitch-free operation for our pilgrims,” he said, stressing that briefing the Assembly ahead of the airlift was part of the board’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
He said the board would combine experience with new strategies to ensure a successful Hajj exercise for pilgrims from Kano State.
Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Muhammad Bello, congratulated Ibrahim-Matawalle on his appointment and pledged the legislature’s continued support to ensure a seamless operation.
The Director-General also visited the Protocol Section of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kano to strengthen inter-agency collaboration. The Head of Protocol, Nu’uman Nuhu-Bamalli, assured the board of the ministry’s support.
Ibrahim-Matawalle reaffirmed the board’s resolve to ensure the welfare, safety and spiritual fulfilment of all pilgrims from Kano State during the 2026 Hajj.
