Less than four months to the commencement of this year’s Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has resigned his appointment. “The chairman has repeatedly expended funds without the board’s approval and executed contracts far beyond approved budgetary limits. “One implication of this strain was the initial reduction of Nigeria’s pilgrim quota from 95,000 in 2025 to 50,000 for the 2026 Hajj operations. Meanwhile, reacting to the development, the commission assured that it remains focused on its statutory responsibilities, describing leadership matters as administrative. “We are aware of the reports circulating, but we in NAHCON remain focused on our statutory responsibility to ensure a smooth and successful Hajj.

Source: Nigerian Tribune February 10, 2026 09:32 UTC