Less than four months to the commencement of the 2026 Hajj in Saudi Arabia, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has resigned his appointment.

Usman’s resignation came amid deepening internal crisis within the commission and days after he received Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, who led a delegation to Nigeria for high-level talks with Nigerian officials.

Findings by Tribune Online revealed that the resignation shocked key stakeholders in the Nigerian Hajj industry, especially as it followed a peace meeting convened by Vice-President Kashim Shettima between the NAHCON board and the chairman penultimate week.

The meeting was held after 11 board members petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, passing a vote of no confidence on Usman and demanding his immediate removal.

In a letter dated January 19 and addressed to President Tinubu, the board accused the chairman of persistent leadership failures, alleging that his actions had compromised the commission’s credibility, stability and operational efficiency.

The petition, titled “Vote of No Confidence in the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman,” listed several grievances, including financial indiscipline, violation of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Act, corruption-related irregularities, and a breakdown of internal governance.

According to the board, Usman repeatedly expended funds without approval, awarded contracts beyond approved budgetary limits, and presided over procurement processes without the mandatory BPP ‘No Objection’ certificates. The members also noted that the chairman is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

They further alleged that corruption-related irregularities under Usman’s leadership strained Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia, resulting in an initial reduction of Nigeria’s pilgrim quota from 95,000 in 2025 to 50,000 for the 2026 Hajj.

The board also cited poor leadership, lack of consultation, disregard for due process, and persistent non-compliance with established protocols, which they said led to declining staff morale and operational dysfunction within the commission.

“After careful evaluation, we unanimously resolve that the chairman should not remain in office for even one additional day,” the board stated, warning that allowing him to continue in office would jeopardise preparations for the upcoming Hajj and expose Nigeria to operational and diplomatic risks.

The petition was jointly signed by commissioners and representatives from the six geopolitical zones, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

Meanwhile, reacting to the development, NAHCON said the commission remains focused on its statutory duties.

“We are aware of the reports circulating, but we in NAHCON remain focused on our statutory responsibility to ensure a smooth and successful Hajj. Leadership matters are administrative and not within my purview,” the Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Fatima Usara Sanda, said.