Soliu Oyesiji.
The federal government has appointed Ismail Abba Yusuf as chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), subject to confirmation by the Senate. The appointment was announced on February 11, 2026, following the resignation of Abdullahi Usman.
In a statement issued by the deputy director, information and public relations, NAHCON, Fatima Usara, the commission detailed the profile of the new boss and welcomed him on behalf of the staff of the commission.
Yusuf is a retired career diplomat and former Nigerian ambassador to Türkiye, bringing over three decades of experience in diplomacy, governance and Hajj administration to the leadership of NAHCON.
Born on July 7, 1962, in Mubi, Adamawa State, Yusuf graduated from Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, in 1985 with a degree in political science. He completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in 1986 and joined the Nigerian foreign service in December of the same year. Over the years, he attended several advanced professional courses and rose to the rank of director in 2013.
In 2021, he was appointed ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Türkiye, where he played a key role in strengthening Nigeria’s bilateral relations with the country, particularly in defence, security, trade, investment and industrial cooperation.
Yusuf served in Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in Argentina, Italy and China, and held various positions at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spanning analysis, operations, training, administration and pilgrims’ affairs.
His involvement in Hajj administration dates back to the early 2000s, when he served at the secretariat of the Presidential Committee on Hajj between 2002 and 2007. The committee was responsible for initiating and implementing policies that laid the foundation for the establishment of NAHCON in 2006. Yusuf also served as schedule secretary during the commission’s formative years.
In 2005, he was secretary of a high-level federal government delegation that studied Hajj operations in Malaysia and Indonesia, whose findings influenced reforms in Nigeria’s Hajj administration, including the establishment of the Hajj Savings Scheme. He later served as secretary to Amirul Hajj delegations in 2012 and 2013.
Between 2011 and 2013, Yusuf worked at the Presidential Villa as special assistant on presidential matters in the office of the chief of staff to the president, where he was involved in policy analysis and coordination of presidential programmes.
Yusuf is proficient in Hausa, Yoruba, Igala, English and Spanish.
