The Lagos State Government has asked the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, to increase its allocation of pilgrimage slots for the 2027 Hajj, citing the rising number of residents seeking to participate in the annual Holy Pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, made the request during an engagement with NAHCON’s pre-2027 Hajj assessment team led by its Commissioner of Operations, Inspectorate and Licensing, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi.
Layode described the 1,224 slots allocated to Lagos for the 2027 Hajj as inadequate, saying the State would require at least 2,500 slots to adequately meet the demand from intending pilgrims.
“Lagos has consistently performed well in Hajj operations. Before my predecessor, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, left office, he airlifted 3,661 pilgrims in the 2023 operations alone. Since I assumed office in 2024, we have sustained the tempo. We airlifted 1,600 pilgrims in 2026, and we are already projecting not less than 2,000 intending pilgrims for 2027. I, therefore, appeal to NAHCON to reconsider Lagos and allocate additional slots to us,” he said.
Reflecting on the 2026 Hajj, the commissioner expressed dissatisfaction with some of the services provided to Nigerian pilgrims. He particularly criticised the condition of tents and facilities at Arafat, describing them as substandard and unsuitable and linking the situation to illnesses and complaints among pilgrims.
Layode also raised concerns about the services provided by Flynas Airline, saying the aircraft used for Lagos pilgrims lacked sufficient space and adequate restroom facilities, resulting in discomfort during the journey.
The commissioner further appealed to NAHCON to permit states to establish clinic spaces within the hotels accommodating their pilgrims. He said such facilities would allow state medical teams to administer first aid and attend to minor health complaints, thereby easing the burden on NAHCON clinics and hospitals in Saudi Arabia.
He also called on NAHCON to facilitate the smooth transportation of drugs procured by states for their pilgrims. Layode equally urged the commission to maintain the existing luggage arrangement of two 23kg main bags and one 8kg hand luggage for the 2027 pilgrimage.
Speaking during the engagement, Elegushi said the NAHCON team visited Lagos to brief the State on recent changes introduced by the Saudi Arabian Government in the administration of Hajj.
He explained that the Saudi Vision 2030 had resulted in Hajj operations becoming increasingly driven by private-sector participation, with the government focusing primarily on regulation and supervision, particularly in the aviation sector.
According to him, states are expected to establish companies that will operate as tour operators under the new arrangement. He noted, however, that individual states might not be able to operate independently and suggested that states in the South-West could come together to establish a joint private company.
Elegushi commended Lagos for its longstanding commitment to pilgrims’ welfare, noting that the tradition was initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu when he served as Governor of the State.
He urged the Lagos Government to preserve the tradition and continue improving its welfare programmes for pilgrims in future Hajj operations.