President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally nominated Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf to serve as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The nomination, which is subject to confirmation by the Nigerian Senate, was communicated in an official letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
President Tinubu has urged the upper chamber to provide expeditious approval to ensure a seamless transition of leadership and prevent any delays in the commission’s critical operations.
Ambassador Yusuf is a seasoned career diplomat with a distinguished track record within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Most recently, he served as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Türkiye (2021–2024). His decades of experience in high-level bilateral and multilateral engagements are expected to bring a heightened level of diplomatic expertise to NAHCON’s international coordination efforts.
If confirmed, Ambassador Yusuf will succeed Professor Abdullahi Usman, who resigned from the position earlier this week after 14 months of service.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) holds a vital statutory mandate to organize, supervise, and coordinate Hajj and Umrah activities for thousands of Nigerian pilgrims.
Under the NAHCON Act of 2006, the commission is responsible for:
Logistics & Welfare: Overseeing airlifts, accommodation, and medical/security arrangements for pilgrims.
Regulation: Licensing tour operators and ensuring strict compliance with Saudi Arabian pilgrimage regulations.
Innovation: Managing state-level Hajj savings schemes and maintaining biometric databases to streamline the pilgrimage process.
The appointment of Ambassador Yusuf signals the Presidency’s commitment to maintaining stability and excellence in Hajj administration, ensuring that the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims remains a top priority.
