Vice President Kashim Shettima has directed the newly appointed chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Usman, to resume in acting capacity, pending Senate screening and confirmation.
In an internal memo addressed to Usman, Shettima asked him to “Take up his position” at the Hajj House “immediately.”
“I am directed by His Excellency, Senator Shettima GCON, the Vice President, to convey the approval for your resumption of office as Chairman of the National Hajj Commission in an acting capacity with immediate effect, pending Senate confirmation after their recess,” the memo read.
It would be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had appointed Usman on August 19, following the dismissal of Jalal Arabi, former chairman of the commission.
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Arabi is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for alleged mismanagement of the N90 billion presidential subsidy for the 2024 hajj.
Hajj experts have complained that the continued delay in appointing a chairman for the commission is stalling Nigeria’s preparation for the 2025 Hajj.
Meanwhile, NAHCON has announced that Nigeria will maintain its 95,000 slot for the 2025 Hajj.
In a statement, it said this followed a meeting between the commission and representatives from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU).
NAHCON’s Commissioner, Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance (PPMF), Alhaji Aliu Abdulrazaq, raised some challenges that pilgrims faced, like shortage of toilets in Mina and the meals in Mina, stating that they were prepared devoid of indigenous taste for the pilgrims.
He also mentioned problems of transportation from Muzdalifa to Mina; issues with tents allocation despite the fact that Nigeria paid for extra space to avoid shortage.
“He also drew attention to the harassment some pilgrims faced due to inactive NUSUK identity cards which was no fault of theirs but that of the issuing authorities. Commissioner PPMF therefore called on MOHU to look into these issues to avoid reoccurrence.”
On his part, the Director General, Office of the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah who doubles as the Chief Consultant in Charge of Offices of the (world) Pilgrims’ Affairs, Dr Badr Assulamy, requested full support of NAHCON to make 2025 Hajj a success.
Assulamy laid out a timeline of activities as build-up to the Hajj pleading with the commission to commit itself to deadlines.
He stated that early payment of Hajj fares, contractual agreements with service providers, issuing of licenses to air carriers and other stakeholders must be concluded before issuing of visa would be possible as it would commence on February 19, 2025.
He urged the commission to finish issuing visas before the deadline.
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