By Peter Omopo
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), subject to Senate confirmation.
The nomination was announced on Wednesday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the appointment is in line with Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act, 2006, which requires Senate approval before the appointment can take effect.
President Tinubu has formally written to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, seeking the expeditious confirmation of Ambassador Yusuf. He is expected to replace Professor Abdullahi Usman, who resigned earlier this week after serving about 14 months in office.
Ambassador Yusuf is a seasoned career diplomat who previously served as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Türkiye from 2021.
The nomination comes at a critical period as preparations continue for upcoming Hajj operations, with the federal government expected to prioritise efficiency and improved service delivery for Nigerian pilgrims.
If confirmed by the Senate, Ambassador Yusuf will assume leadership of NAHCON, the agency responsible for regulating and supervising Hajj and Umrah activities for Nigerian Muslims.
