They accused the chairman of financial indiscipline, alleging a lack of transparency and actions that fell short of the commission’s established public financial regulations.
Members of the board of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) have written to President Bola Tinubu, requesting the removal of the commission’s chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, popularly known as Pakistan, over allegations of corruption, incompetence and abuse of office.
The petition, dated January 19, 2026, is titled Vote of No Confidence in the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, Daily Trust reports.
The board members said their decision followed prolonged internal observations and repeated attempts at corrective engagement, which they said failed to address persistent leadership shortcomings that had undermined the commission’s credibility, stability and operational effectiveness.
They accused the chairman of financial indiscipline, alleging a lack of transparency and actions that fell short of the commission’s established public financial regulations.
According to the petition, Prof. Usman repeatedly spent funds without board approval and awarded contracts far beyond approved budgetary limits.
“These actions constitute grave breaches of financial governance and are further compounded by the fact that the chairman is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),” the petition said.
The commissioners further alleged that the chairman presided over the award of hajj-related contracts in violation of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Act and due process, exposing the commission to legal, financial and reputational risks.
The board members said, “For example, contracts were signed under the chairman’s leadership without the mandatory ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the Bureau of Public Procurement.
“There are serious allegations of corruption linked to oversight of hajj-related activities.”
“These irregularities have created avoidable tension between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly in matters of compliance, credibility and operational coordination. One of the implications of this strain was the initial reduction of Nigeria’s quota of pilgrims from 95,000 in 2025 to 50,000 in 2026 hajj operations,” the petition said.
They also criticised the chairman’s leadership style, citing poor coordination, limited exposure, insufficient consultation and persistent disregard for due process.
After what they described as careful evaluation, the board members stated: “We hereby unanimously resolve that the chairman should not remain in office for even one additional day.
“Allowing him to continue in office gravely jeopardises the preparation, coordination and successful conduct of the upcoming Hajj operations, and further exposes Nigeria to operational and diplomatic risks.”
It was signed by Commissioner, Planning, Research, Statistics, Information & Library Services (PRSILS), Professor Abubakar A. Yagawal; Commissioner, Operations, Inspectorate and Licensing, Prince Anofi Elegushi; Commissioner, Policy, Personnel, Management & Finance, Prince Aliu Abdulrazaq; Commissioner Representing North Central, Prof. Muhammad Umaru Ndagi; Commissioner Representing North East, Alhaji Abba Jato Kala; Commissioner Representing North West, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Uthman; Commissioner Representing South West, Dr Tajudeen Abefe Oladejo; Commissioner Representing South East, Hajia Aishat Obi Ahmed; Commissioner Representing South South, Hajia Zainab Musa; Commissioner Representing Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), Prof. Musa Inuwa Fodio; and Commissioner Representing the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Professor Mahfouz A. Adedimeji.
Efforts to reach Prof. Usman for comment were unsuccessful.
However, in an earlier interview with Daily Trust, the chairman said complaints within the commission were driven by bitterness “because someone felt bitter that others travelled to Saudi Arabia without them, or because someone complained that another person had received something and they did not.”
Corruption Allegations Against Saleh
In October 2025, SaharaReporters exclusively reported that there was disquiet at NAHCON following fresh allegations of mismanagement against Saleh.
Some insiders, who spoke with SaharaReporters, raised concerns over alleged financial irregularities, and political interference in the Commission's affairs.
According to multiple sources within NAHCON familiar with the developments, the Chairman sidelined the Executive Commissioners, concentrating decision-making authority in the hands of a few close associates.
These allegedly included his younger brother, Mr. Usman Sirajo, and one Mr. Abdumaik Diigi, who reportedly handle key administrative and operational decisions without full board consultation.
Insiders claimed this development had led to weakened structures and a breakdown of internal accountability within the commission.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was reported to be investigating the Chairman for extra-budgetary expenditures, gross misconduct, and breach of executive procedures, with preliminary findings reportedly indicating unauthorised disbursements and unilateral financial commitments.
Adding to the growing tension, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, through Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with NAHCON’s performance during the 2025 Hajj operations, citing poor coordination and allegations of corruption Saleh.
Sources also stated that some Board Members of the Commission had submitted petitions to the Office of the Vice President and the National Assembly, complaining of administrative incompetence.
They further alleged that the leadership under Saleh (Pakistan) compromised due process in dealings with service providers, leading to the alleged loss of several billions of naira.
There were also allegations of complicity against the Office of the Vice President, with some insiders claiming that the weakness of the chairman created an avenue for external interference and micromanagement of the commission’s affairs.
In August, SaharaReporters reported that the EFCC had detained Mr. Sirajo Salisu Usman, Saleh’s brother, over alleged fraud involving billions of naira.
Sirajo was arrested by EFCC operatives in Abuja. He had previously been questioned earlier in the month, alongside other senior officials of the Commission.
In July, SaharaReporters revealed that the Nigerian government might have walked straight into a financial black hole, as fresh documents indicated that NAHCON could have lost billions of naira during the 2025 Hajj exercise.
SaharaReporters had learnt that the potential loss stemmed from negligence, inflated contracts, and questionable dealings involving bed spaces and service providers in Saudi Arabia.
A detailed examination of official documents and press statements issued by NAHCON indicated that 14,179 bed spaces in Mina, a critical stop during the Hajj pilgrimage, were paid for but left unused.
Of the 52,544 bed spaces reportedly secured for pilgrims under state quotas, only 41,568 were used. Tour operators also utilized just 13,217 out of 16,263 spaces, leaving a total of 2,046 unused.
By Saudi regulations, these should have been cancelled and refunded on or before 16 Dhul Qadah (May 14, 2025).
However, multiple sources within the Commission confirmed that Saleh failed to apply for the refunds despite persistent reminders.