In a move signalling a shake-up at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), President Bola Tinubu has appointed Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman as the new Executive Chairman of the Commission. The decision comes on the heels of an ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into alleged financial mismanagement by the outgoing Chairman, Jalal Arabi, and the Commission’s Secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The EFCC probe centres around allegations that Arabi and Kontagora diverted funds from the N90 billion allocated by the Nigerian government to subsidize the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Both officials were detained by the anti-graft agency last week, spending three nights in custody after failing to meet bail conditions.
The appointment of Prof. Usman, who previously chaired the Kano State Pilgrims Board, was announced on Monday by Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.
Usman, an accomplished scholar with degrees from the University of Madinah and Peshawar University in Pakistan, is known for his expertise in Islamic studies and his experience in managing one of Nigeria’s largest contingents of Hajj pilgrims.
Ngelale stated that Prof. Usman’s appointment is pending Senate confirmation, and emphasized President Tinubu’s expectations for the new Chairman to lead the Commission with the highest standards of integrity and transparency.
This leadership change comes at a critical time for NAHCON, as the Commission faces scrutiny over its handling of Hajj funds.
The President’s swift action underscores his administration’s commitment to accountability and reform within key government institutions.
