The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Professor Abdullahi Usman, has officially confirmed his resignation.
Usman made the announcement in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.
The former NAHCON boss, in the statement, denied any wrongdoing, stressing that his decision to step down was taken purely for personal reasons.
His resignation follows reports that the NAHCON board had submitted a petition to President Bola Tinubu calling for his removal over alleged abuses and misconduct.
The petition, dated January 19, 2026 and signed by 11 board members, was titled Vote of No Confidence in the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman.
It accused the former CEO of financial indiscipline, lack of transparency, and repeatedly approving expenditures and awarding contracts without board approval, in excess of budgetary limits.
According to the petition, the chairman’s “actions constitute grave breaches of financial governance and were compounded by the fact that he is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission”.
It also alleged that he awarded Hajj-related contracts in violation of the Bureau of Public Procurement Act and due process, thereby undermining transparency, fairness and value for money, while exposing the commission to legal, financial and reputational risks.
In his statement, Usman said, “It is with deep reflection and gratitude to Allah SWT that I announce my resignation from the office of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, effective Monday, 9 February 2026.
“I wish to state unequivocally that this decision is taken entirely for personal reasons.
“After prayerful contemplation and consultation with my family, I have made this choice in good conscience and with profound respect for the sacred responsibilities of public service.”
He added that, in line with Section 3(6) of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2006, he had submitted his formal resignation in writing to Tinubu.
Usman thanked the President for the trust and honour of appointing him to serve the nation and the Muslim ummah in that capacity.
“I am equally grateful to His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima, whose guidance and support have been invaluable throughout my tenure,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to the board, management and staff of NAHCON, as well as state pilgrims’ welfare agencies, tour operators, aviation and service providers, and Nigerian counterparts in Saudi Arabia for their cooperation.
He reiterated, “Once again, I emphasise that this resignation is driven purely by personal considerations and reflects no dissatisfaction with the commission, the government, or the noble mandate we have collectively pursued.”
Before his resignation, Usman’s last official engagement took place last week, when he received Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, in Abuja.
He was appointed chairman of NAHCON by Tinubu in 2024.
