The Lagos State Government has constituted an ad – hoc committee for the 2026 Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The committee, headed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, Dr. Ahmed Abdullahi Jebe, was inaugurated by Honourable Commissioner for Home Affairs, Olarenwaju Ibrahim Layode, at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja on Wednesday.
While addressing members of the committee, Hon. Layode affirmed that their competence, dedication and the need to ensure the successful planning, coordination, and execution of activities released to the 2026 Hajj exercise.
He urged them to discharge their duties with utmost diligence, integrity, and commitment in line with the objectives of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.
According to him, the terms of reference of the Committee include, but are not limited to providing necessary support in logistics coordination, Pilgrims’ welfare, accommodation, medical arrangements and any other assignments that may be directed from time to time.
While congratulating them, he emphasised that the appointment takes immediate effect and shall subsist for the duration of the 2026 Hajj exercise.
Responding on behalf of other members, the Chairman, Dr. Jebe, expressed his gratitude to the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo – Olu; Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat and Honourable Commissioner for Home Affairs, for allowing the committee to serve the State.
He gave assurances that his members would not abuse the trust reposed in them. While promising his unwavering commitment towards achieving successful exercise, he appealed for necessary support from Hon. Commissioner to make the assignment seamless.
He thereafter announced the Composition of the sub – committees and their respective Chairmen to include: *Accommodation ( Hon. Musliudeen Maiyegun); *Welfare ( Mr. Ajisegiri Ismail Ajibade), *Manifest, Visa and Media ( Hon. Waheed Lolade Shonibare), and *Madinah / Muna and Arafat ( Engr. Shakiru Ayinde Gafar).
Others are Dawah/ Enlightenment ( Prof. Kabir Paramole), Transport ( Alhaji Mojeed Sanni) and Luggage and weighing sub – committee ( Alhaja Yussuf Ara.
Meanwhile, Hon. Layode stated that 1,600 Lagos Intending Pilgrims will commence on Thursday, May 7. With first flight of 345 intending Pilgrims.
According to him, the exercise would continue with second flight on Friday 8th; third flight on Sunday 10th; fourth on Tuesday 12th while last flight is on Wednesday 13th of May, 2026. He said that the arrangements were inline with the schedule release by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria ( NAHCON).
He notified the committee that Flynas Airline appointed by NAHCON to airlift the State’s pilgrims has agreed to increase the main luggage from 32 Kg to 40 Kg, stressing that each pilgrim would be given 23 Kg bags for their main luggage this year while the hand luggage remains 8 Kg.
