A major airlift operation is set to bring thousands of Nigerian pilgrims home from Saudi Arabia, with Flynas, the Saudi-designated Hajj carrier, announcing that flights for pilgrims from Ogun and Kebbi states will commence on June 4, 2026.
The airline, in a statement signed by Mahmood Muhammad Abande of its media office on June 2, confirmed it will deploy six A330 wide-body Boeing aircraft to handle the inbound flights. The first return flight will transport the initial group of Ogun State pilgrims from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to the newly built Gateway International Airport in Abeokuta. On the same day, a second flight will carry the first batch of Kebbi State pilgrims from Jeddah to Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi.
Two additional flights are scheduled for June 5, again connecting Jeddah with Abeokuta and Birnin Kebbi. Umar Kaila, Managing Director of First Planet Travels Limited and Flynas’ General Sales Agent in Nigeria, said the airline has finalized plans for a seamless operation aligned with international standards. He noted that during the outbound phase, Flynas transported 11,342 pilgrims and officials in 30 flights over just two weeks. To prepare for the return, the airline has already delivered 13,832 five-litre bottles of Zamzam water to Nigeria.
Beyond Ogun and Kebbi, Flynas will also airlift pilgrims from Lagos, Osun, Kaduna, Niger, and Nasarawa states. Ahmad Ruma, the airline’s operations coordinator, recently met with ground staff in Makkah to review procedures and logistics, urging them to maintain the professionalism the carrier is known for as they manage luggage at airports and pilgrim accommodations.
In a separate development, Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria Limited has acted as lead issuing house and bookrunner for a successful N15 billion five-year fixed-rate senior unsecured bond issued by Paras Energy Funding SPV Plc. The bond, carrying an 18 percent annual coupon, is the first from the SPV and marks a milestone for Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited, a privately held power company owned by African Industries Group.
The transaction is notable as the first time a privately held power sector company has issued an unwrapped bond for its debut. Proceeds will expand Paras Energy’s generating capacity and accelerate its growth as an independent power plant operator across West Africa. Munish Modi, Group CFO of African Industries Group, called the issuance a defining moment, while RMB Nigeria executives highlighted the strength of domestic liquidity and the potential for more private sector participation in the power sector.
