The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON Professor Abdullahi Usman has officially confirmed his resignation from office. The announcement was made in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.
In the statement Usman denied any form of wrongdoing, insisting that his decision to step down was taken purely for personal reasons. His resignation comes amid reports that the NAHCON board had submitted a petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu seeking his removal over alleged misconduct and abuse of office.
The petition dated January 19 2026 and signed by eleven board members was titled Vote of No Confidence in the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria. It accused Usman of financial indiscipline lack of transparency and approving expenditures and contracts without board approval and beyond approved budgetary limits.
The board further alleged that the former chairman awarded Hajj related contracts in violation of the Bureau of Public Procurement Act and due process. According to the petition these actions exposed the commission to legal financial and reputational risks and undermined transparency fairness and value for money. It also claimed that Usman was under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Responding to the situation Usman stated that after prayerful reflection and consultation with his family he chose to resign in good conscience. He said his resignation took effect from Monday February 9 2026 and that he had formally notified President Tinubu in line with the NAHCON Establishment Act 2006.
Usman expressed gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve as well as to Vice President Kashim Shettima for his guidance and support. He also thanked the NAHCON board management staff state pilgrims welfare agencies tour operators aviation service providers and Nigerian counterparts in Saudi Arabia.
He reiterated that his resignation was not driven by dissatisfaction with the commission or the government. Before stepping down his last official engagement was hosting Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr Tawfiq Al Rabiah in Abuja. Usman was appointed NAHCON chairman in 2024.
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