President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The nomination was announced on Wednesday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, President Tinubu has written to Senate President Godswill Akpabio seeking the prompt confirmation of Ambassador Yusuf, who is to replace Professor Abdullahi Usman. Usman resigned earlier this week after serving about 14 months in office.
The appointment is subject to Senate confirmation in accordance with Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act.
Ambassador Yusuf is a career diplomat who served as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Türkiye from 2021 to 2024.
NAHCON is the federal agency responsible for regulating and coordinating Hajj and Umrah operations in Nigeria. Its duties include licensing tour operators and overseeing the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.
In a separate statement issued in Abuja, Professor Usman said his resignation was based solely on personal reasons and not due to any dissatisfaction with the commission, the government, or its mandate. He said the decision followed careful reflection and consultations with his family.
Usman expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, members of the NAHCON board, management staff, and other stakeholders for their support during his tenure.
However, his resignation comes weeks after 11 members of the NAHCON board reportedly petitioned the President on January 19, 2026, calling for his removal over allegations of financial mismanagement, lack of transparency, and approving expenditures and contracts beyond board and budgetary approvals.
The board also alleged that some Hajj-related contracts were awarded in violation of the Bureau of Public Procurement Act, potentially exposing the commission to legal, financial, and reputational risks.
Usman denied the allegations, maintaining that his resignation was purely for personal reasons.
