President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The nomination was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate in line with Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act, 2026.
It was gathered that Ambassador Yusuf will replace Professor Abdullahi Usman, who resigned from the position earlier in the week.
“President Tinubu has forwarded a letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, requesting the speedy confirmation of Ambassador Yusuf to take over from Professor Abdullahi Usman, who resigned after about 14 months in office,” the statement said in part.
The Presidency described Yusuf as a seasoned career diplomat, noting that he served as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Türkiye between 2021 and 2024.
Recall that Professor Abdullahi Usman announced his resignation in a personally signed statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday. He disclosed that his resignation took effect from Monday, February 9, 2026, and was based on personal reasons.
Usman also stated that he had formally communicated his decision to President Tinubu in line with Section 3(6) of the NAHCON Establishment Act, 2006.
He thanked the President for the opportunity to serve and expressed appreciation to Vice President Kashim Shettima for his support and guidance during his tenure.
The former NAHCON boss said his decision was purely personal and not connected to any disagreement with the commission or the federal government.
