In a significant development that has sent ripples through Nigeria’s religious and administrative circles, the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has officially resigned from his position.
While the resignation was communicated via a brief message late Monday night, insiders suggest the move was anything but voluntary. The decision follows a period of intense pressure from the Presidency, triggered by an explosive petition from the NAHCON board calling for his immediate removal.
The petition, a scathing “Vote of No Confidence” signed by all 11 board members and dated January 19, 2026, painted a picture of a commission in crisis. The board members alleged that Professor Usman’s leadership was characterized by persistent failures that compromised the commission’s stability and operational effectiveness. Among the most serious claims were allegations of financial indiscipline, a lack of transparency, and the awarding of high-value Hajj contracts without board approval or adherence to budgetary limits.
The crisis at NAHCON appears to have gone beyond internal administrative disputes. The board’s petition revealed that the former chairman is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over unauthorized disbursements. Furthermore, the petition noted that these internal irregularities had begun to strain diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabian authorities, contributing to a significant reduction in Nigeria’s pilgrim quota for the upcoming 2026 Hajj operations.
Before his sudden exit, Professor Usman’s last public duty was receiving Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, in Abuja just last week. Despite his recent engagements, the board’s insistence that his continued stay in office “gravely jeopardizes” future Hajj preparations seems to have finally forced the Presidency’s hand.
As the dust settles on his 15-month tenure, one often described by stakeholders as one of the most controversial in the commission’s history, the Federal Government is expected to announce an interim replacement or a new substantive chairman shortly. For now, the focus shifts to how the commission will navigate the fast-approaching 2026 Hajj season under new leadership.
