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 announcement was made in a statement on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The statement said President Tinubu had written to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, urging the swift confirmation of Yusuf to succeed Professor Abdullahi Usman, who stepped down this week after 14 months in office.
The appointment, however, requires Senate confirmation under Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act.
A seasoned diplomat, Yusuf served as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Türkiye between 2021 and 2024. NAHCON oversees the coordination and regulation of Hajj and Umrah operations in Nigeria, including licensing tour operators and ensuring the welfare of pilgrims.
In his resignation statement, Usman stressed that his decision was purely personal and not due to any dissatisfaction with the commission or government. He thanked President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the NAHCON board, management staff, and stakeholders for their support during his tenure.
Usman’s exit follows a petition from 11 NAHCON board members submitted on January 19, 2026, calling for his removal over alleged financial indiscipline, lack of transparency, and approval of contracts beyond board and budget limits. The board also accused him of awarding Hajj-related contracts in violation of the Bureau of Public Procurement Act, though Usman denied any wrongdoing.
Ambassador Yusuf’s confirmation is now awaited by the Senate.