NAHCON Chairman Steps Down Amid Board Allegations and Presidential Pressure
In a significant development within Nigeria's religious and administrative circles, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman has officially resigned from his position as Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). This resignation follows mounting pressure from the commission's governing board and direct intervention from the presidency.
Petition Triggers Leadership Change
According to sources within the commission who spoke on condition of anonymity, the resignation came after all eleven members of the NAHCON board submitted a formal petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The petition, dated January 19, 2026, carried the unanimous signatures of board members and outlined serious allegations against Professor Usman's leadership.
The document, titled "Vote of No Confidence in the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman," detailed what board members described as prolonged internal observations of concerning behavior and multiple failed attempts to address leadership issues internally.
Serious Allegations Surface
The board's petition leveled several serious accusations against the former chairman, including:
- Financial indiscipline and lack of transparency in commission operations
- Repeated spending of funds without proper board approval
- Awarding contracts in violation of established procurement processes
- Exceeding approved budgetary limits on multiple occasions
- Undermining the commission's credibility and operational efficiency
Perhaps most significantly, the petition revealed that Professor Usman is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), adding legal weight to the board's concerns about financial governance.
Presidential Intervention and Forced Resignation
Multiple sources confirm that the presidency compelled Professor Usman to step down following the board's petition. A staff member of the commission stated, "Yes, he was forced to resign by the presidency following the petition against him. The commission has faced several controversies since his appointment. The presidency will announce a replacement soon."
This development marks a dramatic turn for the Hajj commission, which has been embroiled in various controversies since Professor Usman's appointment. His last official engagement occurred just last week when he received Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, highlighting the sudden nature of this leadership change.
Broader Implications for Hajj Operations
The resignation comes at a critical time for Nigeria's Hajj preparations, with the commission having recently concluded its second pre-Hajj visit to Saudi Arabia from January 4 to January 19, 2026. These visits focused on strengthening operational readiness and coordination with Saudi authorities ahead of the 2026 pilgrimage season.
NAHCON had also recently rolled out fifteen new operational directives for the 2026 Hajj, including penalties for pilgrims who miss flights and measures to prevent inaccurate pre-arrival data that often disrupts logistical arrangements in Saudi Arabia.
The board's petition specifically warned that Professor Usman's alleged actions in approving Hajj-related contracts without following due process exposed the commission to significant legal, financial, and reputational risks, potentially affecting Nigeria's entire Hajj operation.
As the presidency prepares to announce a replacement, stakeholders within Nigeria's Muslim community and government circles await further developments, hoping for restored stability and transparency in the commission responsible for coordinating one of Islam's most important religious obligations for Nigerian citizens.
