Nigeria’s VP Shettima Summons NAHCON Chairman Over Hajj 2025 Preparations
Urgent Meeting Called Amid Management Concerns
Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has summoned Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), and all board members to an emergency meeting. This comes amid growing concerns about the management of preparations for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.
Details of the Scheduled Meeting
The crucial meeting is set for Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Vice President’s Conference Room. Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, confirmed the summons in an official letter. The directive requires Usman to present a comprehensive report on NAHCON’s Hajj preparations and address unresolved issues.
Controversy Surrounding NAHCON Leadership
The summons follows weeks of controversy regarding NAHCON’s operations. Reports indicate Vice President Shettima previously criticized Usman for allegedly:
- Operating as a sole administrator
- Marginalizing board members
- Violating established protocols
Allegations of Mismanagement
In a March 17 letter, Shettima accused the chairman of:
- Breaching procurement procedures
- Making illegal appointments
- Ignoring collective decision-making processes
“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 with regard to all decisions relating to pilgrims’ welfare,” Shettima stated.
Petitions and Staff Concerns
The Vice President’s intervention came after multiple complaints:
- March 13 petition from eight non-permanent commissioners
- March 3 letter from the Association of Senior Civil Servants
Nepotism Allegations
Serious allegations include Usman appointing family members to key positions:
- Son as personal assistant
- Brother as special adviser
- Nephew as deputy director of accounts
Implications for Hajj 2025
The meeting’s outcome will significantly impact Nigeria’s Hajj preparations, affecting thousands of Muslim pilgrims. While some NAHCON staff welcome the intervention, others describe the chairman’s leadership as “toxic” and call for his removal.
Source: Herald Nigeria