Vice President Kashim Shettima has reportedly cautioned Professor Abdullahi Saleh-Usman, the chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), over his alleged unilateral approach to decision-making within the commission.
In a letter addressed to the NAHCON chief, Shettima expressed concerns over alleged breaches of due process, including violations of procurement guidelines, marginalization of board members, misconduct, and unauthorized appointments of aides.
Shettima’s communication, as obtained from Daily Nigerian, was dated March 17, 2025, and bore the reference number SH/OVP/DCOS/NAHCON. The letter, titled “Re-Deliberate Exclusion from the Exercise of Oversight Functions,” was signed by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President.
The Vice President reportedly took issue with the NAHCON chairman’s governance style, especially the formation of committees allegedly mandated to make decisions without board-wide consultation—a move said to contravene the commission’s governing regulations.
Part of the letter read:
“The act does not envisage a sole administrator role and each member has a responsibility to the zone or entity he or she represents, especially concerning all decisions relating to pilgrims’ welfare.”
The communication further indicated that although Professor Saleh-Usman acknowledged and apologized for the concerns raised, no tangible steps had been taken to rectify them. Hadejia emphasized that the chairman needed to operate in accordance with the provisions of the NAHCON Act, which defines the commission’s authority as a collective body, not an individual mandate.
Professor Saleh-Usman was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in August 2024 following the dismissal of the former NAHCON chairman, Jalal Arabi. Before his federal appointment, Saleh-Usman led the Kano State Hajj Commission. Upon assuming office, he was advised to uphold professionalism, transparency, integrity, and dedication.
