The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Professor Abdullahi Usman, has stepped down from his position.
Although it is alleged that his resignation followed a petition by the NAHCON board to President Bola Tinubu seeking his removal over alleged abuses and misconduct, the exact reason for his decision has not been officially disclosed.
“Yes, he has resigned, but I am still waiting for him to communicate his reasons, because he just sent a one-line message to us last night (Monday night), informing us of his resignation. I think proper communication will be done this morning,” he said.
The board said its action followed what it described as prolonged internal observations and repeated efforts at corrective engagement, adding that persistent leadership failures had undermined the credibility, stability, and operational effectiveness of the commission.
In a petition dated January 19, 2026, and signed by 11 board members, titled Vote of No Confidence in the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, the board alleged financial indiscipline, lack of transparency, and repeated expenditure of funds and award of contracts without board approval, exceeding budgetary limits.
Before his resignation, Usman’s last official engagement took place last week, when he received Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, in Abuja.
Usman was named chairman of NAHCON by President Tinubu in 2024.
