The Senate on Thursday confirmed Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as substantive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Usman’s confirmation follows the submission of recommendations of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs Chaired by Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, APC, Niger North senatorial district.

The new NAHCON chairman responded to inquiries based on his wealth of knowledge about the Hajj industry and experience in repositioning the commission which further brightened the confirmation.

President Bola Tinubu approved Usman’s appointment in August 2024 after the sacking of Jalal Arabi who was accused of mismanagement of the N90 billion subsidy approved for 2024 Hajj.

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 the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board from 2019 to 2023, where he served for four years, overseeing several transformative initiatives aimed at enhancing Hajj operations and expanding the board’s outreach.

Usman has served in various capacities, including as 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 areas of expertise span across project management, strategic planning, and organizational leadership.