Nigeria's Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, inaugurated the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State. This marked the first international flight at the airport since its establishment in 1983. Air Peace airlifted 315 pilgrims to Medina, Saudi Arabia, using a Boeing 777-300 aircraft, the largest to land on the Owerri airport runway.

Shettima praised Imo State Governor Sen. Hope Uzodimma for his commitment to religious tolerance and urged pilgrims to represent Nigerian values in Saudi Arabia. Uzodimma highlighted his administration's dedication to improving the state's aviation infrastructure and plans to support Christian pilgrimages in the future, positioning Owerri as a religious and international travel hub.

Air Peace's management emphasized that this event demonstrates the airport’s enhanced capacity for international operations. The successful flight countered rumors of Air Peace's suspension from Hajj operations, reaffirming its reliability. The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and other dignitaries were present, underscoring the event's national significance.

Separately, the first batch of 420 pilgrims from Kebbi State departed from Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, on a direct flight to Madinah via Flynas Airline, Airbus A380-900 series. All pilgrims received their Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) in cash. Kebbi's Deputy Governor, Sen. Umar Abubakar Tafida, State Amirul Hajj, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammadu Mera, and Executive Chairman of the State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Faruq Aliyu Yaro, were present to see them off.

Deputy Governor Senator Umar Abubakar conveyed Governor Dr. Nasir Idris’s gratitude to those who facilitated the smooth evacuation of pilgrims. The Amirul Hajj confirmed the completion of all arrangements for airlifting 3,800 pilgrims from Kebbi, with passports, visas, and BTA secured. The Executive Chairman of the Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Faruq Aliyu Yaro, stated that the airlift operation would continue with back-to-back trips until all pilgrims were evacuated.