iDeemlawfulPresident Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Amb. Ismail Abba Yusuf as the new Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON).
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the appointment is subject to Senate confirmation in line with Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act, 2026.
President Tinubu has written to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, requesting prompt confirmation of Ambassador Yusuf to succeed Professor Abdullahi Usman, who stepped down this week after about 14 months in office.
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Yusuf is a career diplomat who served as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Türkiye from 2021 to 2024.
His nomination follows the resignation of Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, also known as Sheikh Pakistan, as chairman of the commission.
Prof. Abdullahi, who resigned on Monday, stated that his decision was based on personal reasons after prayers and consultations with his family.
His exit comes amid allegations of corruption and abuse of office, which reportedly created tension within the NAHCON board and diverted focus from preparations for the annual pilgrimage.
The claims led to several petitions from board members to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, the most recent dated January 19, 2026.