The reported resignation of Abdullahi Saleh Usman as Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has once again exposed a troubling reality: nearly two decades after its creation, Nigeria’s Hajj regulatory body remains trapped in a cycle of leadership crises, boardroom warfare, and political interference.
Documents, stakeholder accounts, and past official actions suggest that Usman’s exit is not an aberration—but the latest casualty of a system that has repeatedly failed to reform itself.
January 2026 Warning That Broke the Camel’s Back
The immediate trigger for Usman’s departure was a January letter sent by the NAHCON Board to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in which board members passed a vote of no confidence in the chairman.
According to sources familiar with the letter, the board accused Usman of:
- Centralising decision-making
- Undermining statutory board functions
- Delaying key procurement and logistics processes
- Presiding over a breakdown of trust between management and commissioners
Most damningly, the board warned that the commission was “ill-prepared” for the 2026 Hajj cycle and risked “systemic failure” if leadership issues were not urgently addressed.
Within days, reports of Usman’s resignation surfaced.
A Familiar Pattern: Chairmen Who Rarely Finish Strong
Since NAHCON was established in 2006, few of its chairmen have exited office without controversy.
2016–2019: Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad
The tenure of Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad remains one of the most turbulent in the commission’s history.
In 2019, the Federal Government suspended him amid allegations of financial mismanagement and administrative breaches. Although Mukhtar denied wrongdoing and no criminal conviction followed, his suspension came after prolonged conflict with board members and internal audit queries that prompted presidential intervention.
The episode paralysed preparations for that year’s Hajj and deepened mistrust between NAHCON and state pilgrim welfare boards.
Earlier Years: Bello Sadiq and Boardroom Infighting
Under Bello Sadiq, NAHCON also struggled with allegations of opaque contract awards and disputes over airline selection for pilgrim airlifts.
Multiple states openly accused the commission of poor coordination and late communication, while internal disagreements between political appointees and career officials spilled into the public domain.
Though no formal indictment followed, his tenure reinforced a growing perception of NAHCON as an institution perpetually at war with itself.
Structural Flaws No Chairman Has Escaped
Interviews with former officials and Hajj industry stakeholders point to structural weaknesses that transcend individual personalities:
- Blurred authority lines between the chairman, board, and secretariat
- Politicised appointments that prioritise patronage over expertise
- Weak internal controls, particularly around procurement and vendor selection
- Last-minute decision-making in an environment that requires years of advance planning
Each new chairman inherits these flaws—and often attempts to consolidate power to manage them—triggering resistance from boards, staff, or political sponsors.
Why the Stakes Are Now Higher Than Ever
Unlike a decade ago, Saudi Arabia now enforces stricter timelines, digital pilgrim profiling, and early contractual commitments. Any internal paralysis at NAHCON has immediate international consequences.
Stakeholders warn that repeated leadership implosions could eventually:
- Jeopardise Nigeria’s Hajj quota
- Increase costs for pilgrims
- Damage Nigeria’s credibility with Saudi authorities
A senior state pilgrims’ board official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the situation bluntly:
“We change chairmen, but we never change the system that destroys them.”
Usman’s Exit: End of a Tenure, Not the Crisis
While the Presidency has yet to formally confirm Usman’s resignation or announce a successor, analysts argue that replacing him without comprehensive reform risks repeating history.
Calls are now growing for:
- Clear statutory separation of powers within NAHCON
- Stronger external oversight and audits
- Transparent procurement frameworks
- Appointments based on sector competence, not politics
Until those issues are addressed, critics warn that NAHCON’s revolving door will keep spinning—no matter who occupies the chairman’s seat.
