Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja — Members of the board of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) have formally petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging his office to remove the commission’s Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, over alleged corruption, financial indiscipline and leadership failures that they say threaten the integrity and effectiveness of Nigeria’s Hajj operations. The appeal was transmitted to the presidency in a letter dated January 19, 2026, signed by the majority of NAHCON board members who serve in both permanent and non‑permanent capacities.
In their petition, board members cited “prolonged internal observations” and repeated but unsuccessful efforts to resolve concerns through corrective engagement, asserting that the chairman’s conduct has undermined the commission’s credibility, stability and operational effectiveness. They accused Professor Saleh — popularly known as “Pakistan” — of financial indiscipline, including the alleged expenditure of funds without board approval and the award of contracts beyond approved budget limits in violation of public financial regulations.
The commissioners further alleged that the chairman presided over Hajj‑related procurements that violated the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Act and circumvented required due process, exposing the commission to legal, financial and reputational risks. According to the petition, these governance breaches have contributed to diplomatic strain between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including a reported initial reduction of Nigeria’s pilgrimage quota for the 2026 Hajj season.
Besides financial and procedural concerns, the petitioners raised issues about Professor Saleh’s leadership style, saying poor coordination, limited consultation with board members and persistent disregard for due process have eroded teamwork and internal governance within NAHCON. They warned that allowing him to remain in office “gravely jeopardises the preparation, coordination and successful conduct of the upcoming Hajj operations” and called on President Tinubu to intervene urgently.
The petition was signed by commissioners responsible for key portfolios, including planning, operations, finance and regional representation, as well as representatives from the Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA). They unanimously resolved that the chairman should not continue in office “for even one additional day,” highlighting the severity of their concerns.
The allegations against the NAHCON chairman come amid ongoing scrutiny of the commission’s operations, particularly in relation to financial governance and compliance with statutory requirements. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is already reported to be investigating Professor Saleh for alleged financial irregularities, according to the board’s petition and other sources familiar with internal developments.
The request for removal marks a rare and significant public dispute between the leadership of a federal commission and its supervising board. It highlights deep institutional divisions within NAHCON at a time when preparations for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage — one of Nigeria’s most logistically complex and sensitive national exercises — are underway.
Reacting previously to internal complaints, Professor Saleh had described earlier grievances by some board members as driven by personal differences, asserting that his leadership approach aligned with statutory roles as defined under the NAHCON Act. However, the latest collective action by board members suggests that concerns about governance and compliance remain unresolved.
The board’s petition now places the onus on the Federal Government, particularly the presidency and relevant oversight bodies, to determine whether the allegations warrant the chairman’s removal or further investigation. With diplomatic, operational and financial implications at stake, the outcome of this dispute is likely to shape public and international perceptions of Nigeria’s administrative handling of the Hajj pilgrimage.
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