The Saudi authorities have agreed to extend the deadline for the airlifting of intending pilgrims from Nigeria for the 2022 Hajj.

The fresh deadline is July 6.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says it requested for the deadline extension, due to flights cancellation, delay in obtaining basic travelling allowance, insufficient funds for visa and non-availability of PCR test review.

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NAHCON spokesperson, Hajiya Fatima Usara, says that only 13 out of the 65 flights had departed Nigeria on schedule.

So far, out of 43 thousand and eight intending 2022 Hajj pilgrims approved by Saudi authorities for Nigeria, only 27,359 had been airlifted to Saudi Arabia.

Also airlifted so far were 5,000 out of eight thousand and  97 intending pilgrims who registered with tour operators.

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