The Oyo State Government’s plan to airlift 2026 Hajj pilgrims directly from Ibadan has failed to materialise, as intending pilgrims from the state have instead departed through Lagos, contrary to earlier assurances by Governor Seyi Makinde.
Makinde had announced in February that pilgrims from the state would be airlifted from the Ladoke Akintola International Airport, with May 3, 2026, set as the take-off date. The plan was seen as a significant step toward enhancing the state’s aviation capacity and reducing travel stress for pilgrims.
However, checks revealed that no such flight departed from Ibadan on the scheduled date. Instead, pilgrims were conveyed to Lagos for onward movement to Saudi Arabia.
The state government later confirmed the development, attributing the change in plans to pending approvals from the Federal Government. Authorities explained that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria approved the Murtala Muhammed International Airport as the departure point for Oyo pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
Officials added that necessary regulatory clearances required for international operations at the Ibadan airport were not completed in time, making the last-minute adjustment unavoidable.
The outcome represents a shift from earlier assurances by the state government and the Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board, which had indicated readiness for a historic first international Hajj flight from Ibadan.
Meanwhile, the situation contrasts with developments in neighbouring Ogun State, where pilgrims successfully departed from the Gateway International Airport on May 3.
As the 2026 Hajj operations continue, attention is now focused on whether Oyo State can address the regulatory and logistical challenges required to facilitate future international departures from Ibadan.
