Photo NAHCON Chairman Professor Saleh Pakistan
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) inaugurated a 32-member Screening/Aviation Monitoring Committee for the 2025 Hajj air carriers and cargo conveyers today, November 26, 2024, at Hajj House, the NAHCON headquarters. A six-member Secretariat for the Committee was also inaugurated.
The event included the opening of application forms for the issuance of Hajj licenses for airlifting pilgrims in 2025, setting the stage for the selection of air carriers and excess luggage freighters for the upcoming Hajj exercise.
Chaired by Prince Anofi Olanrewaju Elegushi, NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Inspection, and Licensing (OILS), the Committee comprises several aviation industry managers, state pilgrims’ welfare boards, the presidency, security agencies, and NAHCON staff. It includes five representatives from State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, three from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and one member each from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB). The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) also have one representative each.
NAHCON Board members representing each geopolitical zone, heads of various NAHCON departments, and a Board Member representing the aviation industry are also part of the Committee.
Eleven airlines, including FlyNas and Flyadeal from Saudi Arabia, have applied for the airlift of pilgrims. Nigerian applicants include Air Peace, GYRO Air Limited, Max Air Ltd, Nahco Aviance, Tarco Aviation, Umra Airline Limited (representing Ethiopian Airlines), UMZA Aviation Services Limited, Value Jet, and Trebet Aviation Ltd. Additionally, five cargo companies—Aglow Aviation Support Services Limited, Cargo Zeal Technologies, Qualla Investment, Kiswah Logistics Services Limited, and Sokodeke Global Travels and Cargo—have applied for excess luggage transportation.
Present at the event were Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, represented by Senior Legislative Aid Alhaji Rabi’u Adamu Pan-Uku, Hon. Jaafaru Muhammad, representatives of airlines, and all committee members.
In his opening remarks, NAHCON Chairman Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman emphasized the importance of the Committee’s work and urged its members to ensure excellent service for pilgrims, stating, “This inauguration is an important activity that demands commitment due to the magnitude of work involved and its significance to successful operations.”
NAHCON Commissioner OILS, Prince Elegushi, highlighted the necessity of working diligently to meet deadlines and assured a transparent screening process. “The screening will be conducted in a very transparent manner,” he said, seeking stakeholder support to achieve the Committee’s goals.
Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, via his representative, apologized for his absence due to another national assignment and commended the transparent process. Hon. Jaafaru urged successful airlines to perform their duties with integrity.
Other speakers included representatives from the aviation industry and NAHCON Commissioner for Planning, Research, Statistics, Information, and Library Services (PRSILS), Professor Abubakar Yagawal.
