President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), marking a leadership transition at the federal agency overseeing Hajj and Umrah operations.
The nomination was announced on Wednesday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, President Tinubu formally transmitted a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, requesting the swift confirmation of Ambassador Yusuf in line with Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act.
Ambassador Yusuf is set to replace Professor Abdullahi Usman, who resigned earlier this week after approximately 14 months in office as NAHCON chairman.
Ambassador Yusuf’s Diplomatic Background
Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf is a seasoned career diplomat who served as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Türkiye from 2021 to 2024. His diplomatic experience is expected to play a strategic role in strengthening Nigeria’s Hajj administration framework and international partnerships.
Pending Senate confirmation, Yusuf will assume leadership of NAHCON, the federal agency responsible for:
Regulation and coordination of Hajj and Umrah operations in Nigeria
Licensing and supervision of Hajj tour operators
Welfare and protection of Nigerian pilgrims
Oversight of pilgrimage logistics and service providers
Usman’s Resignation and Allegations
Prof. Abdullahi Usman announced his resignation in a statement issued in Abuja, describing the decision as “purely personal” and unrelated to dissatisfaction with the commission or the Federal Government.
He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the NAHCON board, management, and stakeholders for their support during his tenure.
However, Usman’s resignation follows heightened scrutiny within the commission. On January 19, 2026, eleven NAHCON board members submitted a petition to President Tinubu seeking his removal.
The petition reportedly cited:
Alleged financial indiscipline
Lack of transparency in commission operations
Approval of expenditures and contracts beyond board and budgetary limits
Alleged violations of the Bureau of Public Procurement Act
Board members further claimed that certain Hajj-related contracts exposed NAHCON to potential legal, financial, and reputational risks.
Usman denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that his decision to step down was solely based on personal considerations.
What This Means for NAHCON
The appointment of Ambassador Yusuf comes at a critical period for Nigeria’s Hajj administration, as the commission prepares for upcoming pilgrimage operations. Stakeholders will now look to the Senate for expeditious confirmation to ensure continuity in leadership and effective coordination of Hajj and Umrah activities.
