*Photo: Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, new NAHCON Chairman/CEO *
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as the new Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.
Usman replaces Mallam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, a retired Federal Permanent Secretary, who currently facing investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) over alleged fraud financial malpractices during Hajj 2024- the only Hajj exercise he superintended upon.
Arabi was named NAHCON Chairman on 17th October, for a term of four (4) years in the first instance, but ended up spending less than one year.
The new NAHCON Chairman, Professor Usman is a renowned scholar with qualifications from two Islamic centres of excellence — the University of Madinah and Peshawar University, Pakistan.
He is also well-grounded in Hajj operations, having served as the Chairman of Kano State Pilgrims Board, and successfully superintended the operations of the largest quota of state pilgrims in the country.
The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate.
Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, (Media & Publicity) who announced the appointment on Monday said “The President expects the new Chairman of NAHCON to discharge his duties with integrity, transparency, and utmost fidelity to the nation.”
