Oyo pilgrims to take off from Ibadan Airport for 2026 Hajj — Official

The Chairman of Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board Muslim Wing, Hashim Atere, said that the state’s batch of pilgrims to the 2026 hajj will take off from the upgraded Ladoke Akintola International Airport, Ibadan.

He announced this in a statement released 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 appreciation of the board to the governor for his unwavering support, adding that his support enjoyed by the board had been responsible for all the accolades and awards received by the board.

He, therefore, assured all intending pilgrims that the board would not leave any stone unturned to ensure that the 2026 pilgrimage is much better than the previous ones.

Atere also called on all those who plan to go on pilgrimage with the board to meet up with the financial obligations, as the board would not extend the December 5 payment deadline.

The reports that Makinde officially flagged off the N41bn upgrade of the Ibadan airport, renamed Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in 2024.

The ground-breaking ceremony for the project was held at the airport premises in Ibadan, the state capital, and the project is expected to be completed within 12 months.

Makinde said his administration has been committed to the upgrade of the airport since 2019, with a clear vision to transform Ibadan into 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.”