Kashim Shettima, Nigeria’s Vice President, has cautioned Prof. Abdullahi Saleh-Usman, the chairman of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), against functioning alone in carrying out the activities of Nigerian pilgrims.
This was contained in a warning letter by the vice president, officially addressed to the NAHCON CEO, addressing a series of troubling issues. These include alleged breaches of the procurement process, sidelining of members of the commission, misconduct, the unauthorized appointment of aides, and other serious claims.
Recall that, following the sacking of the former NAHCON chairman, Jalal Arabi, President Bola Tinubu appointed Professor Abdullahi Saleh-Usman as the chairman of the hajj commission in August 2024.
Jalal Arabi was dismissed by President Bola Tinubu in August 2024 following serious allegations of financial misconduct. Reports asserted that a series of investigations by the EFCC disclosed that the NAHCON chief and some other top officials mismanaged the sum of ₦90 billion allotted to the commission for the Hajj 2024. It was also reported that they did so by overpaying themselves beyond approved allowances and granting doubtful consultancy contracts. Arabi, specifically, was said to have received SR50,000 instead of his usual SR15,929, while commissioners and directors also received excessive payments.
However, , according to reports, the Vice President’s warning letter to the new NAHCON boss was dated back to March 17, 2025, and was referenced as SH/OVP/DCOS/NAHCON.
Further reports also noted that the letter, titled ‘Re-Deliberate Exclusion from the Exercise of Oversight Functions,’ was signed by different offices; the VP’s deputy chief of staff, Sen. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, and the VP’s office. Also, further reports asserted that the Vice President was angry with the NAHCON CEO’s style of leadership, especially his style of forming committees. These committees make major decisions on behalf of the board, which goes against the board’s code of conduct. On this, the letter noted:
“The act does not envisage a sole administrator role and each member has a responsibility to the zone or entity he or she represents, especially concerning all decisions relating to pilgrims’ welfare.”
On the other hand, reports also noted that in response to the letter dated 17th of March, the NAHCON chairman admitted his lapses and apologised for them. He, however, didn’t correct the lapses. Senator Hadejia admonished that the NAHCON chairman’s focus be drawn to the commission’s act, specifically the part that borders on the regulation, responsibility, and powers of the commission.
Meanwhile, this isn’t the first time the vice president is undertaking official duties in the absence of his boss, President Tinubu. The Vice President Shettima was at Dakar to represent Nigeria on the 3rd of April at Senegal’s 65th Independence Day anniversary. Also, in early March, the VP was in attendance at a US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas. At the summit, he took part in high-level discussions focusing on infrastructure investment, agribusiness, and energy. Reports also noted that he was the moderator of a session focused on promoting the ‘Invest in Nigeria’ initiative, aiming to attract foreign investment into the country.
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