Following the resignation of the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Sale Usman, the Independent Hajj Reporters have called on President Bola Tinubu and his Vice, Kashim Sahttima to exercise caution at this very critical stage of the 2025 Hajj operations.
The Chairman of the Civil Society Group, Muhammad Ibrahim, said with major arrangements already concluded, including pilgrims’ registration, logistics planning, and the operational framework, there is a clear need to allow officials who have been directly involved in these processes to continue steering the exercise.
“We urge the Federal Government to appoint, in an acting capacity, the most competent individual and relatively free from allegation of corruption from within the existing operational team to lead the commission for this year’s Hajj.”
He believes such a decision will guarantee continuity and prevent avoidable disruptions, pending the appointment of a substantive chairman with proven experience and a credible track record in Hajj administration who can later reconfigure and strengthen the system.
“We also align with the government’s decision to accept the resignation of the former chairman, especially in view of the numerous allegations against him and the deep division that existed between his office and members of the NAHCON board.
“The breakdown in working relations made effective collaboration impossible and, if allowed to continue, would have negatively affected Nigerian pilgrims.
“We caution against appointing an entirely new figure from outside the system at this late stage of preparations. Doing so would amount to starting the operation afresh, which is neither practical nor advisable at a time when pilgrims have completed registration and are awaiting airlift.”
He said this is not the moment for experimentation, but for stability, continuity, and informed leadership drawn from those already embedded in the current Hajj framework.
“Our position is an extract from experiences in hajj operations especially the current structural characteristics of Hajj exercise brought about by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“Ultimately, our call is for a transition that places the welfare, comfort, and successful participation of Nigerian pilgrims above all other considerations.”
NAHCON chair resignation: CSO cautions Tinubu, Shettima on new leadership, hajj exercises
