President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The nomination was announced on Wednesday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, President Tinubu has written to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, seeking the Senate’s prompt confirmation of Yusuf’s appointment.
Yusuf is expected to replace Professor Abdullahi Usman, who resigned from the position earlier this week after about 14 months in office. The appointment is subject to Senate confirmation, in line with Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act.
Ambassador Yusuf is a career diplomat. He served as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Türkiye from 2021 to 2024. His diplomatic background is expected to play a role in managing Nigeria’s engagement with Saudi authorities and other international partners involved in Hajj operations.
Usman’s resignation on Monday came at a sensitive time for the commission, as preparations for the 2026 Hajj are already in progress. NAHCON oversees the regulation and coordination of Hajj and Umrah activities in Nigeria, including the licensing of tour operators and the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.
If confirmed by the Senate, Yusuf will assume leadership of the commission as it continues planning for upcoming pilgrimage seasons and addressing operational and welfare issues affecting Nigerian pilgrims.
