President Tinubu Nominates Ismail Abba Yusuf as New NAHCON Chairman After Usman’s Resignation
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President Bola Tinubu has put forward Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), following the resignation of Professor Abdullahi Usman..
The nomination was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said Mr. Tinubu has formally written to Senate President Godswill Akpabio to seek swift confirmation of Yusuf’s appointment.
Under the NAHCON Act, the nominee must be confirmed by the Senate before assuming office.
A seasoned diplomat, Ambassador Yusuf served as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Türkiye from 2021 to 2024. NAHCON is responsible for the overall regulation and coordination of Hajj and Umrah operations for Nigerian pilgrims, including the licensing of tour operators and the welfare of pilgrims before, during, and after the annual pilgrimage.
Professor Usman stepped down this week after 14 months leading the commission. In his resignation letter, he stated that his decision was personal and not a response to dissatisfaction with the government or the commission. He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the NAHCON board, staff, and stakeholders for their support during his tenure.
Usman’s exit comes in the wake of internal disquiet within NAHCON. On January 19, 2026, 11 members of the commission’s board submitted a petition seeking his removal. The board cited alleged financial indiscipline, lack of transparency, and the approval of contracts outside established budgetary and board limits. They also accused him of awarding Hajj-related contracts in violation of the Bureau of Public Procurement Act—allegations Usman has consistently denied.
The Senate is now expected to review and act on Yusuf’s nomination as the next head of NAHCON.
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