President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Professor Usman is a renowned scholar with qualifications from two Islamic centres of excellence, the University of Madinah and Peshawar University, Pakistan.
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.
The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate.
According to a state house press release by presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, the President expects the new Chairman of NAHCON to discharge his duties with integrity, transparency, and utmost fidelity to the nation.
Following the appointment of Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, it means the embattled executive chairman of the National Hajj Commission, Jalal Arabi has now been fired by the President.
Jalal Arabi alongside the commission’s secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, are currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the alleged mismanagement of the N90bn 2024 Hajj subsidy.