Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has formally resigned from his leadership role.
A source within the commission indicated that the resignation was prompted by a petition presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the NAHCON board, which sought Usman's removal due to alleged misconduct and irregularities.
"He was compelled to resign by the presidency following the petition against him. The commission has been embroiled in several controversies during his tenure. The presidency is expected to announce his successor shortly," the source stated.
Earlier reports from Daily Trust noted that Professor Usman's most recent official duty involved receiving Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, the previous week.
The petition, dated January 19, 2026, and signed by all 11 board members, was officially titled "Vote of No Confidence in the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman." It detailed that the board's action stemmed from prolonged internal observations and repeated attempts at corrective engagement, asserting that persistent leadership failures had undermined the commission's credibility, stability, and operational effectiveness.
Key allegations within the petition included financial indiscipline, a lack of transparency, and the consistent expenditure of funds and awarding of contracts without the board's approval, often exceeding budgetary limits. The document highlighted, "These actions represent serious violations of financial governance and are exacerbated by the fact that the chairman is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)."
Furthermore, the petition accused the chairman of awarding contracts related to Hajj operations in contravention of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Act and due process. This, it argued, compromised transparency, fairness, and value for money, thereby exposing NAHCON to significant legal, financial, and reputational risks.
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