You Can’t Run NAHCON Like A Kingdom’ – Shettima Calls Out Chairman

Vice President Shettima Cautions NAHCON Chairman Against Sole Administration....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Vice President Kashim Shettima has issued a stern warning to the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh-Usman, over alleged actions that suggest he is running the commission as a one-man show.

In a letter dated March 17, 2025, and signed by Ibrahim Hassan, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Shettima addressed multiple complaints, including violations of procurement procedures, misconduct, marginalization of board members, and unauthorized appointments of aides.

Titled “Re-Deliberate Exclusion from the Exercise of Oversight Functions”, the letter emphasized that the NAHCON Act does not grant the chairman unilateral control. “The Act does not envisage a sole administrator role. Each member of the board represents a specific zone or entity and plays a key role, especially in decisions concerning pilgrims’ welfare,” Shettima warned.

He cited a staff petition that highlighted these issues, revealing that although the chairman had previously acknowledged the concerns in a February 4th meeting and apologized, he failed to take corrective action.

Shettima directed Saleh-Usman to revisit the NAHCON Act to better understand the statutory roles and responsibilities of each board member. He stressed the need for inclusive decision-making and compliance with legal procedures to avoid rendering board members redundant.

The Vice President’s intervention follows a formal six-page petition dated March 13, 2025, submitted by eight non-permanent NAHCON commissioners. Representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), and Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), the commissioners accused the chairman of sidelining them from their constitutionally mandated oversight functions.