The Presidency has instructed Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, the newly appointed Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), to assume office in an acting capacity until his screening and confirmation by the Senate.

This directive was handed down by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima in a letter dated September 5, 2024, and signed by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia.

The letter, titled “Resumption of Office in Ag Capacity,” states that Usman should resume office immediately, pending Senate confirmation after their recess.

Usman’s appointment as NAHCON Executive Chairman was announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on August 19, following the removal of the previous Chairman/CEO, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, due to financial malfeasance related to the 2024 Hajj exercise.

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s Hajj industry are calling for Usman’s swift screening and confirmation by the Senate, considering the timeline of the 2025 Hajj calendar released by the Saudi Arabian authorities.