NAHCON chairman resigns months ahead of Hajj exercise

The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Usman, has resigned from office amid ongoing controversies and internal disputes within the commission, just months ahead of the 2026 Hajj exercise.

His resignation was confirmed late Monday by his media assistant, Ahmed Muazu, who declined to disclose the reasons for the decision.

Prof. Usman was appointed in 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to replace Jalal Arabi, who was removed while under investigation over alleged misappropriation of funds meant for the 2024 Hajj operations.

Since taking office, Usman’s leadership has been marked by persistent tensions and allegations of administrative and financial lapses.

His first major assignment—the coordination of the 2025 Hajj exercise—was reportedly plagued by claims of financial irregularities and operational shortcomings. These allegations fueled internal disagreements among senior NAHCON officials and attracted scrutiny from stakeholders in Nigeria’s Hajj administration.

The crisis deepened in January 2026, when several NAHCON commissioners petitioned President Tinubu, passing a vote of no confidence in the chairman.

The petition accused Prof. Usman of leadership failure and poor administrative conduct, further polarising the commission.

Despite a reconciliation meeting convened by Vice President Kashim Shettima with key stakeholders earlier this month, tensions persisted.

Prof. Usman’s resignation now raises concerns about leadership stability at NAHCON, with the 2026 Hajj operations about four months away.