The Government of Ogun State has come out to clarify on the Hajj Flight rearrangement.
In its reaction to a “false media report”, it said, there was “no rejection” and “no issue”.
According to a statement released by the Government of Ogun State on Friday 8 May, 2026, the report alleges that “Saudi airline, Flynas, rejected the Gateway International Airport, Iperu, for the transportation of Ogun pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise”.
A statement signed by Hon. Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, reads: “the government described the publication by The Punch titled “Pilgrims stranded as Saudi airline shuns Ogun airport” as misleading and a distortion of facts”.
The Statement by the OGSG continues: “According to the government, the relocation of the second batch of pilgrims from the Gateway International Airport was not due to any safety, operational, or infrastructural challenge at the facility.
“Rather, it resulted from the inability of Saudi aviation authorities to secure a landing slot for Nigeria’s designated carrier, Max Air, which had been engaged by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for Gateway International Airport (GIA) operations, necessitating an adjustment in flight arrangements.
“The statement explained that the notice of the scheduling challenge came barely two weeks before the planned operations, compelling NAHCON to redirect the affected pilgrims to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, as the most practical alternative.
“The government stressed that Flynas did not reject the Gateway International Airport on grounds of safety, infrastructure deficiency, or operational limitation, contrary to claims in the report.
“It added that the first batch of pilgrims had earlier departed successfully from the Gateway International Airport without incident, describing the operation as a historic milestone in Nigeria’s aviation and Hajj logistics.”
The Gateway International Airport in Iperu, Ogun State was commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in April, 2026.
The OGSG said, the Airport was described as a “fully certified international aviation facility approved for Hajj operations by relevant authorities, including the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), in compliance with ICAO SARPs standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization.”
Photo: Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State, prays for first batch of pilgrims as they depart Gateway International Airport for Medina, Saudi Arabia for 2026 Hajj Exercise
