By Abdulkadir Aliyu Shehu Key stakeholders in the 2026 Hajj operations have convened at Gombe International Airport to develop strategies for a safe, coordinated, and efficient pilgrimage exercise.
The pre-Hajj stakeholders’ meeting, held in the airport’s conference hall, brought together aviation authorities, security agencies, religious organisations, government officials, and members of the media.
The Director General and Sole Administrator of the airport, Engr. Sulaiman D. Musa, who convened the meeting, set the tone for deliberations with a brief welcome address.
In his remarks, Engr. Musa apologised for the delayed commencement of the meeting due to technical issues and emphasised the importance of early planning and effective coordination among stakeholders.
He explained that the forum was designed to review past operations, identify gaps, and develop practical frameworks for the 2026 Hajj exercise, particularly in the areas of logistics, facilitation, and security.
Reflecting on the 2025 Hajj operations, he disclosed that 1,358 pilgrims were successfully airlifted from Gombe, attributing the achievement to strong collaboration and strict adherence to operational timelines.
However, he identified key challenges, including unauthorised access to restricted areas, inadequate communication from some private operators, and crowd control issues.
To address these concerns, Engr. Musa stated that stricter access control measures, improved inter-agency communication, and enhanced crowd management strategies would be implemented.
He also stressed the importance of simulation exercises ahead of operations to ensure that all plans are effectively translated into action.
In his remarks, the Airport Manager, Sanusi Marafa, emphasised strict compliance with aviation regulations, noting that Hajj operations require discipline, safety consciousness, and seamless coordination.
He assured stakeholders that the necessary logistical arrangements were already in place and urged all participants to maintain professionalism throughout the exercise.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Sa’adu Hassan, described the meeting as timely and critical to the success of the exercise.
He expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness, particularly in the screening and documentation of intending pilgrims, while calling for better alignment of flight schedules with regulatory approvals.
Hassan commended security agencies for their previous performance and urged them to sustain their efficiency, especially in crowd management and screening processes.
He also used the opportunity to appreciate the Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, for his continued support of Hajj operations.
“I am particularly delighted that His Excellency has graciously allocated Hajj seats to our agencies, especially federal agencies. This gesture will significantly boost morale and enhance cooperation,” he said.
He further appealed for increased allocation in future exercises to accommodate more stakeholders, particularly at the state level, while praying for continued success in the conduct of the pilgrimage.
In his contribution, the National Hajj Commission Coordinator, Alhaji Muhammadu Sunusi Alfa, disclosed that preparations for the 2026 Hajj were nearing completion.
He announced that the inaugural flight to Saudi Arabia would commence shortly, adding that accommodation, feeding, and medical arrangements for pilgrims had been fully secured.
Alfa further revealed that four airlines MaxAir, Umza Aviation, Air Peace, and Flynas had been approved for the operation following rigorous screening.
He highlighted new Saudi policies requiring strict accuracy in passenger data and full compliance with travel manifests, warning that any lapses could attract penalties or affect pilgrims’ eligibility.
He also emphasised the mandatory use of the Nusuk card as a prerequisite for performing Hajj, describing it as a critical component of the new regulatory framework.
The coordinator commended Gombe International Airport for maintaining high security standards but noted that crowd management during return flights would require additional attention.
As deliberations concluded, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration, compliance, and effective communication.
They agreed that sustained coordination among all agencies would be essential to delivering a successful Hajj operation.
The meeting ended with a collective resolve to ensure a safe, orderly, and efficient 2026 Hajj exercise, with optimism that this year’s operation will surpass previous benchmarks.