Ogun pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia as Gateway Airport begins Hajj operations

The archetypal batch of Muslim pilgrims from Ogun State has safely arrived successful the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise, marking a historical milestone for the state’s aviation and pilgrimage operations.

The pilgrims touched down astatine King Abdulaziz International Airport astatine astir 4:15 a.m. (Nigerian time), pursuing their departure from Gateway International Airport astatine 11:00 p.m. connected Sunday.

The contingent comprised 345 pilgrims—151 males and 194 females—alongside officials of the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

Upon arrival, they were received by Saudi Hajj officials and airdrome authorities earlier undergoing migration and information procedures successful an orderly manner. They were thereafter conveyed successful buses to their edifice accommodations successful Medina, wherever they are expected to remainder up of consequent Hajj rites.

The departure of the pilgrims from Gateway International Airport marked some the commencement of the 2026 Hajj operations and the airport’s archetypal planetary flight.

The installation was commissioned connected April 4, 2026, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during an authoritative sojourn to Ogun State.

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