Dare Babalola
Professor Abdullahi Usman has stepped down from his role as the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.
Although his resignation reportedly 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 hasn’t been officially disclosed.
Ahmad Mu’azu, Technical Assistant Media to the NAHCON chairman, confirmed the resignation to Punch on Tuesday morning, saying the circumstances surrounding it were still unclear.
“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’s action followed alleged prolonged internal observations and repeated efforts at corrective engagement, noting that persistent leadership failures had compromised the credibility, stability, and operational effectiveness of the commission.
In a petition dated January 19, 2026, signed by 11 board members and 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 appointed chairman of NAHCON by President Tinubu in 2024.
