New NAHCON Chairman Directed to Assume Role Immediately

• Vice President Shettima instructs new NAHCON Chairman Usman to assume acting role, pending Senate confirmation
• NAHCON confirms Nigeria’s 95,000 Hajj slot allocation for 2025 despite challenges faced by pilgrims in 2024

Vice President Kashim Shettima has instructed Prof. Abdullahi Usman, the new Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), to begin his role as an acting chairman. This directive comes as the Senate prepares for his screening and confirmation.

In an internal memo, Shettima urged Usman to “immediately take up his position” at the Hajj House.

The memo stated, “I am directed by His Excellency, Senator Shettima GCON, the Vice President, to approve your resumption as Chairman of the National Hajj Commission in an acting capacity, pending Senate confirmation after their recess.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Usman on August 19, following the removal of Jalal Arabi, the commission’s former chairman. Arabi is under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for alleged mismanagement of the N90 billion presidential subsidy allocated for the 2024 Hajj.

Hajj experts have raised concerns that the delay in appointing a chairman hinders Nigeria’s preparations for the 2025 Hajj. Despite these challenges, NAHCON has confirmed that Nigeria will maintain its 95,000 slot allocation for the pilgrimage.

In a recent statement, NAHCON announced that this decision followed a meeting between the commission and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU). NAHCON’s Commissioner for Policy, Personnel, Management, and Finance (PPMF), Alhaji Aliu Abdulrazaq, outlined several challenges faced by pilgrims. These included a shortage of toilets in Mina, meals that lacked indigenous taste, transportation problems from Muzdalifa to Mina, and tent allocation issues, despite Nigeria’s payment for extra space.

He also highlighted that some pilgrims experienced harassment due to inactive NUSUK identity cards, a problem caused by the issuing authorities. He urged the MOHU to address these concerns to prevent them from recurring.

Dr. Badr Assulamy, Director General, Office of the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, and Chief Consultant for World Pilgrims’ Affairs, requested full cooperation from NAHCON to ensure the 2025 Hajj is successful. Assulamy emphasized the need for timely actions, including early payment of Hajj fares, concluding contracts with service providers, and issuing licenses to air carriers and other stakeholders. He noted that these steps must be completed before visa issuance begins on February 19, 2025, and urged the commission to meet the deadline.