The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as substantive Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The confirmation of Professor Usman on plenary follows the submission of recommendations of Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs Chaired by Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, APC, Niger North senatorial district.
Until the Senate affirmation, Professor Usman, who has been presiding on the board of hajj commission on acting capacity, successfully scaled through the Senator Bello led committee screening on Tuesday.
The new NAHCON chairman succinctly responded to inquiries bothering on his wealth of knowledge about the hajj industry and experience to reposition the commission which further brightened the confirmation.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the appointment of Professor Usman in August, 2024 after the sack of Mal. Jalal Arabi who was accused of mismanagement of N90 billion subsidy approved for 2024 hajj.
Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman is an accomplished academician and seasoned administrator, whose career has been marked by a blend of scholarly excellence and public service.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the prestigious University of Madina, a Master’s degree in Islamic Studies from Peshawar University, Pakistan, and a Doctorate in Islamic Studies from Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
He was the chairman of Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board from 2019 to 2023, where he served asfor four years, overseeing several transformative initiatives aimed at enhancing Hajj operations and expanding the board’s outreach.
Prof. Usman has served in various capacities, including Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Al-Qalam University, Katsina, and as a Visiting Lecturer at Al-Wafaq International University College, Ghana.
In addition to his academic credentials, Prof. Usman is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria and has served in advisory capacities on numerous state Commissions. His expertise spans project management, strategic planning, and organizational leadership, making him uniquely equipped to take on the challenges of this national appointment.