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By Mustapha Muhammad Tukur Illo The recent working visit of the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Sale Usman, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has exposed more than just an attempted financial scandal; it has laid bare the deep resistance to transparency within certain power circles surrounding the Hajj administration. By dismantling a calculated plot to misappropriate billions of naira earmarked for the 2026 Hajj, Professor Usman effectively crossed a red line for those who see public institutions as avenues for personal enrichment. Available facts point to a coordinated attempt by some individuals, working alongside selected service providers, to deliberately downgrade the quality of services meant for Nigerian pilgrims. The plan was simple but sinister: alter existing contractual agreements, cut corners on accommodation, transportation, and welfare, and divert the excess funds into private hands. Had this scheme succeeded, th...

What was billed as a principled stand against mismanagement at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria now appears to have been something else entirely: a calculated transaction dressed up as institutional reform  What unfolded at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria in recent was presented to the public as an act of conscience. A vote of no confidence. A claim of moral concern. A board rising to defend pilgrims and process. Multiple sources with direct knowledge of events inside the Commission describe a board that did not challenge power but auctioned it. According to these accounts, the move against the Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, known as “Pakistan,” was not driven by governance failures or policy breaches. It was driven by inducement. Sources say a commissioner was at the forefront of the agenda to write the vote of no confidence for the chair after collecting huge sums from a service provider that felt threatened by the chairman and board members...

​Your Excellency, ​As the custodian of our national trust and the leader of Nigeria’s reform agenda, we bring to your urgent attention the unfolding crisis behind the scenes at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The battle being fought today is not a mere administrative disagreement; it is a full-scale war launched by "entrenched interest networks" to sabotage any attempt to sanitize pilgrims' funds from systematic looting. ​Your Excellency, in the interest of truth and justice, we present the following technical facts: ​1. The Myth of Individual Responsibility vs. Financial Controls: The current Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, is facing a coordinated character assassination campaign by certain Board members. We must ask: How can the Chairman be solely accused of financial mismanagement when the "Approving Officer" (Commissioner of Finance/PPMF), the Accounts Department, and Internal Audit must all sign off on every transact...

The integrity of Nigeria’s Hajj operations depends not only on strong policies but also on principled leadership that places the welfare of pilgrims above all other considerations.  In recent developments surrounding the administration of the Hajj, the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has continued to demonstrate a firm and consistent commitment to justice, accountability, and the protection of pilgrims’ rights. Observers of the process will agree that managing the complexities of Hajj logistics, international coordination, and service delivery requires not only administrative competence but also moral courage.  It is in this context that Professor Usman’s stance against injustice and exploitation stands out as both timely and commendable. From the outset, his position has remained clear and unwavering: 1.He does not tolerate any form of injustice against pilgrims. 2.He does not permit Nigerian pilgrims ...

A coalition of civil society organisations has called for the resignation of certain members of the Board of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), citing concerns over governance, accountability, and institutional stability at the Commission. In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Muhammad Nda Auwal, the coalition said it reviewed the ongoing dispute within NAHCON and expressed alarm over the conduct of some Board members, warning that the situation could erode public trust, disrupt Hajj preparations, and damage Nigeria’s international standing. The group stated that Board members who are subjects of ongoing or inherited cases with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lack the moral authority to sit in judgment over the management of the Commission. According to the statement, unresolved integrity issues undermine the credibility of any oversight role and render allegations against NAHCON’s management questionable. The coalition faulted wh...

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has commended the Kano State Police Command for its swift and professional response that led to the arrest of suspects involved in the brutal killing of a housewife and her children in Dorayi Quarters, Kano. This was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Sunday. Governor Yusuf described the prompt action of the police as a clear demonstration of commitment and courage in protecting the lives and property of the people of Kano State. He said the horrific incident, which claimed the lives of an innocent mother and her children, deeply saddened the state, but the speed with which the suspects were tracked and arrested has restored public confidence in the security agencies. The governor praised the Commissioner of Police and officers involved for deploying intelligence-led operations that led to the breakthrough, stressing that such professionalism must be sustained to deter c...

The Kano State Government has announced the official resumption dates for schools across the state for the commencement of the second term of 2025/2026 academic session. According to the announcement, boarding schools are to resume on Sunday, 18th January 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, 19th January 2026. This directive applies to all public, private, and voluntary schools operating within the state. Parents and guardians of boarding students are advised to ensure that their wards return to school as early as possible and before evening on the stipulated resumption dates to allow for proper settling and preparation for academic activities. Furthermore, all heads of schools and teachers have been directed to ensure that teaching and learning commence on Monday, 19th January 2026, without fail. School proprietors and administrators are expected to put all necessary measures in place to guarantee a smooth and orderly resumption. In a goodwill message, the Com...

The Association of Resident Doctors, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (ARD AKTH), Kano, has formally directed it's members to resume the suspended indefinite strike following the failure of federal government to address on the prevailing challenges confronting resident doctors nationwide. The chairman's ARD AKTH chapter, Dr. Aminu Bello Aminu said that following extensive deliberations and in strict alignment with the directive of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), the ARD AKTH hereby declares its decision to join the Total and Indefinite Consolidated Strike (TICS 2.0). Speaking with newsmen in Kano, Dr. Aminu said that the strike action is scheduled to commence by 12:00 midnight on Monday, 12th January 2026.  He explained that the decision was not taken lightly. It follows prolonged engagement, repeated assurances, and persistent failure by relevant authorities to address critical welfare, training, and remuneration concerns affecting resident doct...

Recent allegations emerging from within the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) have raised serious concerns about administrative conduct and adherence to due process, particularly involving Commissioner Elegushi.  Multiple internal sources allege that clear directives issued from the Office of the Vice President regarding personnel management have been disregarded, prompting growing unease among staff and stakeholders committed to institutional integrity. According to these accounts, the commissioner is accused of retaining individuals who are no longer eligible for service, including retired staff and a former National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, in direct contradiction to established civil service regulations and explicit instructions reportedly issued at the highest level of government.  Insiders describe this as a deliberate act that undermines both the authority of the Vice President and the rule-based governance framework guiding federal inst...