Professor Abdullahi Usman, Chairman of Nigeria’s National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), has stepped down after 18 months in office, citing purely personal reasons following prayer and family consultation. Appointed by President Bola Tinubu in 2024 to replace the sacked Jalal Arabi, Usman oversaw the 2025 Hajj operations but faced mounting controversies over alleged financial mismanagement and contract violations.
Internal tensions peaked in January 2026 when 11 board members petitioned Tinubu with a vote of no confidence, accusing Usman of leadership failures, poor administration, and breaching procurement laws during Hajj preparations. Vice President Kashim Shettima intervened with a stakeholders’ meeting two weeks ago to resolve disputes, but Usman resigned effective February 9, 2026, shortly after hosting Saudi Arabia’s Hajj Minister.
In his signed statement, Usman denied any rift with NAHCON, the government, or its mandate, expressing gratitude to Tinubu, Shettima, board members, staff, and Saudi partners for their support. He emphasized the move aligns with public service ethics and leaves 2026 Hajj planning in question.
