Tinubu Nominates New NAHCON Chairman

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, following the resignation of Professor Abdullahi Usman.

The nomination was made on Wednesday in Abuja and has been forwarded to the Senate for confirmation in line with the NAHCON Act.

The President communicated the nomination to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, seeking quick approval to fill the vacancy created by Usman’s exit earlier this week. The development was made known through a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Ambassador Yusuf is a career diplomat who served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Türkiye from 2021 to 2024. If confirmed by the Senate, he will head the federal agency responsible for regulating and coordinating Hajj and Umrah activities in Nigeria.

The commission oversees pilgrimage operations, licenses tour operators, and handles matters relating to the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.

Usman stepped down after about 14 months in office. In a statement released in Abuja, he said his decision was based on personal reasons after consultation with his family. He stated that his resignation was not connected to dissatisfaction with the commission or the government.

He also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, members of the NAHCON board, staff, and other stakeholders for their support during his time in office.

His resignation came weeks after 11 members of the NAHCON board reportedly submitted a petition to the President on January 19, 2026. The petition called for his removal over allegations of financial misconduct, lack of transparency, and approval of contracts and expenditures beyond approved limits.

The board members also accused him of breaching procurement rules in the award of Hajj-related contracts, which they said exposed the commission to legal and financial risks.

Usman denied the allegations and maintained that his decision to leave office was purely personal.

The Senate is expected to review the President’s nomination and decide on the confirmation of Ambassador Yusuf in the coming days.