The Chairman of Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board Muslim Wing, Hashim Atere, stated that the state’s pilgrims for the 2026 hajj will depart from the upgraded Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan.
He made this announcement in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Media, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, on Wednesday in Ibadan, the state capital.
Atere said, “That is why the wide-bodied aircraft that conveyed President Bola Tinubu to Ibadan for the coronation of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, was able to land at the airport in September. The aircraft also took off from the airport seamlessly.
“The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development had visited the airport twice before the President visited, and were satisfied with what they met on the ground. So, everything is set for our pilgrims to take off from the airport. There should not be any hindrance to our people taking off from the airport for the 2026 hajj pilgrimage.”
The chairman expressed the board’s gratitude to the governor for his consistent support, noting that this backing has contributed to the accolades and awards the board has received.
He assured all intending pilgrims that the board would make every effort to ensure that the 2026 pilgrimage surpasses previous ones.
Atere also urged those planning to go on pilgrimage with the board to fulfill their financial obligations, warning that the December 5 payment deadline would not be extended.
Reports have it that Makinde officially launched the N41bn upgrade of the Ibadan airport, which was renamed Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in 2024.
The ground-breaking ceremony took place at the airport in Ibadan, with the project expected to be completed within 12 months.
Makinde emphasized that his administration has prioritized the airport’s upgrade since 2019, aiming to position Ibadan as a regional business hub in the South-West.
He said, “Our focus is on fighting poverty, not the poor. While it is true that times are tough, this project represents a significant investment in our future.”
