-
NAHCON board members petition President Bola Tinubu seeking the removal of chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman
-
Commissioners allege corruption, financial indiscipline, abuse of office and violations of BPP Act
-
Petitioners warn alleged lapses threaten 2026 Hajj operations and Nigeria–Saudi Arabia relations
Board members of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) have petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling for the immediate removal of the commission’s chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman.
The commissioners accused the chairman of corruption, incompetence and abuse of office, saying his continued stay poses serious operational and diplomatic risks ahead of the 2026 Hajj.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
The petition, dated January 19, 2026, is titled Vote of No Confidence in the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and was unanimously signed by all serving commissioners of the commission.
According to the board members, their action followed prolonged internal observations and repeated failed attempts at corrective engagement, which they said have undermined NAHCON’s credibility, stability and effectiveness.
They alleged that Prof. Usman engaged in financial indiscipline, including spending public funds without board approval and awarding contracts far beyond approved budgetary limits.
READ ALSO: EFCC detains top NAHCON officials over alleged ₦50bn Hajj fraud
The commissioners further claimed that several hajj-related contracts were awarded without the mandatory “No Objection Certificate” from the Bureau of Public Procurement, in violation of due process and public financial regulations.
“These actions constitute grave breaches of financial governance and are compounded by the fact that the chairman is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),” the petition stated.
They also alleged that irregularities under the chairman’s leadership strained Nigeria’s relationship with Saudi Arabia, leading to an initial reduction of Nigeria’s Hajj quota from 95,000 pilgrims in 2025 to 50,000 for the 2026 exercise.
The board members said the chairman’s leadership style, marked by poor coordination, limited consultation and disregard for due process, has negatively affected strategic planning and statutory responsibilities.
After what they described as careful evaluation, the commissioners resolved that the chairman “should not remain in office for even one additional day,” warning that his continued stay could jeopardise preparations for the upcoming Hajj.
Efforts to obtain Prof. Usman’s reaction were unsuccessful. However, in an earlier interview, he dismissed internal complaints as being driven by bitterness among some officials.