President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The nomination was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, President Tinubu has written to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, seeking the expeditious confirmation of Ambassador Yusuf to replace Professor Abdullahi Usman, who resigned earlier this week after about 14 months in office.

“The President sent a letter today to the Senate President requesting the expeditious confirmation of Ambassador Yusuf in line with the provisions of Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act,” the statement said.

Ambassador Yusuf is a career diplomat who served as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Türkiye from 2021 to 2024.

NAHCON is the federal agency responsible for the regulation and coordination of Hajj and Umrah operations in Nigeria, including licensing tour operators and ensuring the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.

Professor Usman, in a separate statement issued in Abuja, said his resignation was based purely on personal reasons and not due to any dissatisfaction with the commission, the government, or its mandate.

He explained that the decision followed careful reflection and consultations with his family. He also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, members of the NAHCON board, management staff, and other stakeholders for their support during his tenure.

However, Usman’s resignation comes weeks after 11 NAHCON board members petitioned the President on January 19, 2026, calling for his removal over alleged financial indiscipline and lack of transparency.

The board members accused him of repeatedly approving expenditures and awarding contracts beyond board approval and budgetary limits, including alleged violations of the Bureau of Public Procurement Act in the award of Hajj-related contracts.

The petitioners claimed such actions exposed the commission to legal, financial, and reputational risks.

Usman, however, denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that his decision to step down was strictly personal.