Following his confirmation as the substantive chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) by the Senate today, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman has assured Nigerian pilgrims of improved services by the commission.
Usman, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on Monday, August 19, following the removal of the immediate past chairman, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi.
Arabi’s removal came on the heels of some financial malfeasance that followed the 2024 Hajj operation, particularly on the N90 billion subsidy approved for Nigerian pilgrims, leading to his arrest and detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as well as recovery of some amount of money from him.
Prof Usman, who is NAHCON’s sixth chairman, assumed office in an acting capacity on Wednesday, October 2, and was screened by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on Tuesday before his eventual confirmation by the Senate today.
Speaking after the confirmation, Usman expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by both the executive and legislative arms of government.
According to NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara, the chairman pledged to build on the achievements made by his predecessors in ensuring the progress of the Hajj industry in Nigeria, focusing on the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims and their ability to accomplish accepted Hajj (Hajj mabrur).
Usman assured that the commission would not only provide improved services to Nigerian pilgrims but also collaborate with all stakeholders in the Hajj industry to provide a safe and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage to the pilgrims.
“We will continue to improve our services to Nigerian pilgrims, working closely with all stakeholders to provide a safe and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage,” Usara quoted the chairman to have said.
The chairman, who had previously served as the chairman, the Kano State Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, is coming onboard at a critical time as NAHCON prepares for the 2025 Hajj season along Saudi Arabia’s timeline.
His confirmation, according to Usara, is expected to accelerate preparations, adding that, “it is also expected to further enhance the Commission’s collaborations with all stakeholders to ensure successful Hajj for all Nigerian intending pilgrims.”
