Professor Abdullahi Usman has been named Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria by President Bola Tinubu, thereby removing Jalal Arabi, who was appointed in October.
According to a statement released on Monday by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Advisor to the President on Media and Publicity, the new development was contained in a letter titled, “President Tinubu Appoints head of National Hajj Commission”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is currently looking into Usman’s predecessor, Arabi, for allegedly mismanaging N90 billion in Hajj funding.
On August 16, the EFCC said it detained Arabi, and the commission’s secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, over illegal withdrawal and the alleged mismanagement of the N90bn 2024 Hajj intervention fund.
A total of SR314,098 was said to have been ecovered from Arabi and other ranking officials.
“He is also well-grounded in Hajj operations, having served as the Chairman of Kano State Pilgrims Board, and successfully superintended the operations of the largest quota of state pilgrims in the country,” it added.
The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate.
Ngelale said the President expects the new Chairman of NAHCON to “discharge his duties with integrity, transparency, and utmost fidelity to the nation.”
