Members of the Board of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) have passed a vote of no confidence in the chairman of the commission, Abdullahi Saleh Usman, citing alleged financial impropriety, procurement violations, leadership failures and actions said to have strained Nigeria’s relationship with Saudi Arabia.
In a petition sighted by HAJJ REPORTERS dated January 19, 2026, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, the board members said their decision followed “prolonged internal observations, repeated efforts at corrective engagements, and persistent leadership failures” which they claimed had undermined the credibility and effectiveness of the commission.
The board accused the chairman of financial indiscipline, alleging that he approved expenditures and executed contracts without board approval and beyond approved budgetary limits, in breach of public financial regulations. They also noted that the chairman is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The board further alleged violations of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Act, claiming that Hajj-related contracts were awarded without due process, including the absence of mandatory “No Objection” certificates from the BPP. According to the petition, such actions exposed the commission to legal, financial and reputational risks.
On international relations, the board raised concerns over alleged corruption-related irregularities which they said created diplomatic strain between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. They linked this to an initial reduction of Nigeria’s Hajj quota from 95,000 pilgrims in 2025 to 50,000 for the 2026 Hajj. The board also pointed to what it described as a downgrading in the level of engagement during the signing of Hajj memoranda of understanding, suggesting this reflected weakened confidence in Nigeria’s Hajj administration.
The petition also accused the chairman of poor leadership, alleging a breakdown of teamwork, weak internal governance, declining staff morale and operational dysfunction within NAHCON. The board cited alleged disregard for due process, collective decision-making and public service hierarchy, as well as the dissemination of misleading information and the use of the media to allegedly blackmail officials.
Based on these concerns, the board unanimously resolved that the chairman should not remain in office, warning that his continued stay could jeopardise preparations for upcoming Hajj operations and expose Nigeria to further operational and diplomatic risks.
The petition was signed by Professor Abubakar A. Yagawal (Commissioner, Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services), Prince Anofiu Elegushi (Commissioner, Operations, Inspectorate and Licensing), Prince Aliu Abdulrazaq (Commissioner, Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance), Professor Muhammad Umaru Ndagi (North Central), Alhaji Abba Jato Kala (North East), Sheikh Muhammad Bin Uthman (North West), Dr Tajudeen Abefe Oladejo (South West), Hajia Aishat Obi Ahmed (South East), Hajia Zainab Musa (South South), Professor Musa Inuwa Fodio of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), and Professor Mahfouz A. Adedimeji of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
The board appealed to the president for urgent intervention, stressing its commitment to transparency, accountability and the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.
