President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
He replaces Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi.
Making the announcement Monday, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, described Usman as 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,” he said, adding that 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.
The statement was, however, silent on Arabi, who is being investigated for the handling of the 2024 Hajj operation by the anti-graft agencies.