BREAKING: Tinubu Sacks Nigerian Hajj Commission Chairman Arabi, Appoints Saleh Usman As New Head

President Bola Tinubu on Monday approved the appointment of former Chairman of Kano State Pilgrims Board, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, as the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Prof. Usman’s appointment followed the dismissal of the Chairman of the Commission, Jalal Arabi, and the commission’s secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, after they were reportedly grilled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged diversion of parts of the N90 billion released by the Nigerian government to subsidise the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

It was reported that Arabi and Kontagora spent three nights in the EFCC custody last week after failing to meet their bail conditions.

On Monday, Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President Tinubu on Media and Publicity, in a statement issued in Abuja announced the appointment of Usman.

Usman, who is a scholar with qualifications from two Islamic centres - the University of Madinah and Peshawar University, Pakistan, had served as Chairman of the Kano State Pilgrims Board, overseeing the operations of the largest quota of state pilgrims in Nigeria.

The President’s spokesperson said “The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate.

“The President expects the new Chairman of NAHCON to discharge his duties with integrity, transparency, and utmost fidelity to the nation.”

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