The Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has nominated Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), the federal agency responsible for coordinating and regulating Nigeria’s annual pilgrimage operations.
The nomination was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said Mr. Tinubu has formally written to Senate President Godswill Akpabio to seek the expeditious confirmation of Ambassador Yusuf in line with the provisions of Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act.
Ambassador Yusuf, a career diplomat, served as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Türkiye from 2021 to 2024. His nomination marks a key leadership transition at the commission amid efforts to stabilize the agency ahead of the upcoming 2026 Hajj season.
In the statement, the presidency stressed that the appointment is subject to Senate confirmation, a constitutional requirement for heads of key federal agencies.
Ambassador Yusuf is set to replace Professor Abdullahi Usman, who resigned earlier this week after serving in the role for approximately 14 months. According to the Punch report, Usman’s decision to step down was driven by personal reasons rather than dissatisfaction with the government or the commission’s mandate.
In his resignation statement, Prof. Usman expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, and also thanked Vice President Kashim Shettima, members of the NAHCON board, commission staff, and pilgrimage partners for their collaboration during his tenure.
Prof. Usman said his resignation followed “careful reflection and consultation with my family,” and that it was taken “entirely for personal reasons.” He reiterated his appreciation for the confidence placed in him by the leadership and prayed for continued success for the agency’s work.
The leadership change at NAHCON comes against a backdrop of internal concerns over governance and financial discipline at the commission. According to the Punch report, Usman’s departure followed a petition by 11 NAHCON board members in January 2026, calling for his removal over alleged financial indiscipline, lack of transparency, and approval of expenditures beyond approved budgets, charges the outgoing chairman denied, insisting his decision to leave was personal.
NAHCON plays a critical role in organising Hajj and Umrah activities for Nigerian pilgrims, including the licensing of tour operators and ensuring the welfare of pilgrims. Leadership stability at the commission is widely viewed as essential to efficient management of Nigeria’s pilgrim quota and related logistics.
With the Senate now poised to consider Ambassador Yusuf’s confirmation, stakeholders are watching closely for how the new leadership will navigate the twin challenges of restoring confidence internally and ensuring preparedness for the next pilgrimage season.
