A major scandal has erupted at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) as board members have passed a vote of no confidence in Chairman Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, citing financial indiscipline, corruption, and poor leadership.
In a petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the board members accused Usman of violating financial regulations, awarding contracts without due process, and causing diplomatic strain with Saudi Arabia. They also alleged that his leadership style has led to a breakdown of teamwork and internal governance within the commission.
The petition, signed by eight board members, including Professor Abubakar A. Yagawal and Prince Anofi Elegushi, stated that Usman’s actions have compromised the credibility and stability of NAHCON and put the upcoming Hajj operations at risk.
The board members are calling for Usman’s immediate removal, citing “grave concerns” over his leadership and the need to protect the commission’s integrity and reputation.
The scandal has raised concerns about the management of the Hajj pilgrimage and the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims. The board members assured President Tinubu of their commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in NAHCON’s operations.
The allegations against Usman include:
– Financial indiscipline and unauthorized expenditure of funds
– Violation of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Act
– Corruption-related irregularities causing diplomatic strain with Saudi Arabia
– Poor leadership and breakdown of teamwork and internal governance
The petition has sparked calls for an investigation into the allegations and Usman’s removal from office.
FOR THE RECORDS SEE FULL COPY OF THE PETITION:
19th January, 2026
His Excellency,
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria,
State House, Abuja.
Your Excellency, Sir,
VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL HAJJ COMMISSION OF NIGERIA (NAHCON), PROF. ABDULLAHI SALEH USMAN
We, the undersigned Members of the Board of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) appointed by your good office, respectfully write to formally convey our collective Vote of No Confidence in the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman.
This decision follows prolonged internal observations, repeated efforts at corrective engagements, and persistent leadership failures that have compromised the credibility, stability, and operational effectiveness and efficiency of the Commission.
We respectfully draw Your Excellency’s attention to the following grave concerns:
1. Financial Indiscipline
We have observed consistent patterns of financial decision-making that lack transparency and fall short of the standards set by the Commission’s established public financial regulations. The Chairman has repeatedly expended funds without the Board’s approval and executed contracts far beyond the approved budgetary limits. These actions constitute grave breaches of financial governance and are further compounded by the fact that the Chairman is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
2. Violation of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Act
The Chairman has presided over the award of Hajj-related contracts in clear violation of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Act and due process. These actions undermine transparency, fairness, and value for money, and expose the Commission to legal, financial and reputational risks. For example, contracts were signed under the Chairman’s leadership without the mandatory ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the Bureau of Public Procurement.
3. Corruption-related Irregularities Creating Diplomatic Strain with Saudi Arabia
There are serious allegations of corruption linked to oversight of Hajj-related activities. These irregularities have created avoidable tension between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly in matters of compliance, credibility and operational coordination. One of the implications of this strain was the initial reduction of Nigeria’s quota of pilgrims from 95,000 in 2025 to 50,000 in 2026 Hajj operations. The fact that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the 2025 Hajj was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tugar, with the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Taufiq Al-Rabiah, while the MOU for the 2026 Hajj was signed by the Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Abdulfatah Mashat, and NAHCON Chairman, Prof. Usman, on behalf of Nigeria, is an indicator of this strain.
4. Breakdown of Teamwork and Internal Governance due to Poor Leadership
The Chairman’s leadership style, marked by poor coordination, limited exposure, insufficient consultation and persistent disregard for due process, has gravely undermined effective workflow, strategic planning, and the delivery of statutory responsibilities. His continual failure to adhere to collective decision-making protocols, respect statutory limits and uphold established internal communication channels has precipitated a breakdown of teamwork and internal governance within the Commission.
This deterioration is evidenced by escalating institutional discord, declining staff morale, and widespread operational dysfunction across departments. These conditions have been further exacerbated by repeated acts of insubordination, deliberate non-compliance with official directives, and open disregard for the public service hierarchy, the dissemination of false and misleading information, and, above all, the use of the media to blackmail officials, all of which have significantly damaged the integrity, stability, cohesion, and public image of the Commission.
OUR POSITION
After our careful evaluation, we hereby unanimously resolve that the Chairman should not remain in office for even one additional day. Allowing him to continue in office gravely jeopardises the preparation, coordination and successful conduct of the upcoming Hajj operations, and further exposes Nigeria to operational and diplomatic risks.
In view of the foregoing, we respectfully request Your Excellency’s urgent intervention.
As a Board, we remain committed to serving the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ensuring that NAHCON operates with transparency, accountability and dedication to the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims in furtherance of the far- reaching Agenda of your Administration.
Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of our highest regards.
Professor Abubakar A. Yagawal
(Commissioner, Planning, Research, Statistics, Information & Library Services -PRSILS)
Prince Anofi Elegushi (Commissioner, Operations, Inspectorate and Licensing)
Prof. Muhammad Umaru Ndagi (North Central)
Alhaji Abba Jato Kala (North East)
Sheikh Muhammad Bin Uthman (North West)
Dr Tajudeen Abefe Oladejo (South West)
Professor Musa Inuwa Fodio
Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI)
Professor Mahfouz A. Adedimeji
Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA)
