NAHCON under Scrutiny Over Alleged Rule Violation and Strategic Manipulation By the Commissioner of Operations

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 institutions.

Further compounding these concerns are claims that internal enforcement mechanisms have been compromised. Sources allege that the officer responsible for upholding personnel and financial management rules has failed to act, allegedly overlooking clear violations. 

This perceived inaction has fueled suspicions of institutional capture and has intensified calls for urgent external oversight to prevent further erosion of accountability within the commission.

In addition, staff members allege that Commissioner Elegushi, who is widely believed to be positioning himself for the chairmanship of NAHCON, has begun exerting undue influence over key strategic postings. Of particular concern is the reported redeployment of Halidu Shutti as Director of Human Resources, a move insiders claim aligns with a broader effort to consolidate power within the commission and advance a narrow, divisive agenda that could undermine meritocracy and national balance.

In light of these troubling allegations, stakeholders are calling on the Office of the Vice President to urgently review the situation and intervene where necessary to safeguard institutional integrity, ensure compliance with federal directives, and reaffirm the principles of transparency and fairness. 

It is only through decisive and impartial action that public confidence in NAHCON’s leadership and operations can be restored and protected.

NAHCON Commissioner Elegushi Accused of Defying VP’s Directive, Retaining Retired Staff and Ex-Corper

A fresh wave of controversy is sweeping through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) as mounting allegations implicate the Commissioner of Operations, Anofi Elegushi, in what insiders describe as a brazen disregard for civil service rules, Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s explicit directive, and growing tendencies of nepotism and impunity.

Multiple senior staff who spoke to this newspaper, fearing reprisals, disclosed that Mr. Elegushi has continued to retain a retired NAHCON official, Mr. Gaffar, who left the service in 2023. Despite having no legal standing within the commission, the retired officer allegedly maintains unrestricted access to official operations and enjoys privileges befitting a serving staff.

“He has no portfolio, no official role, yet he attends meetings, travels with the commissioner, and even maintains offices in both Abuja and Saudi Arabia,” one source lamented. “This is a clear violation of the Public Service Rules, and staff confidence in the system has been badly eroded.”

But the concerns do not end there.

Sources further accuse the Commissioner of quietly retaining a female youth corps member who completed her national service months ago. The ex-corper, allegedly related to Mr. Elegushi, continues to occupy a slot reserved for an incoming NYSC member and reportedly enjoys full staff privileges—an anomaly that has unsettled the commission’s workforce.

Vice President’s Directive Ignored

The controversy deepened after documents emerged showing that Vice-President Shettima had earlier rejected NAHCON’s request to engage retired personnel on contract. In a memo titled “RE: Request for Special Waiver to Appoint Three Retired Officers on Contract”, the VP expressly ordered the commission to halt such engagements:

“You are therefore advised to reverse any such engagements and instruct your Human Resources unit to conduct a proper mandate and capability assessment of your workforce,” the memo read.

Yet, in what staff describe as a deliberate act of defiance, Mr. Elegushi allegedly continues to accommodate the retired officer and the ex-corper within his operations unit.

Staff Union “Silenced by Fear”

Although the staff union reportedly complained in the past about outsiders being placed above legitimate personnel, workers say this particular case has remained untouched.

“People are afraid. The Commissioner is powerful, and even the officer responsible for enforcing the rules the commissioner PPMF has chosen to look away,” another insider disclosed.

Several staff members also allege that the commissioner, who is said to be positioning himself for the NAHCON chairmanship, has begun influencing strategic postings within the commission. One such move is the alleged redeployment of Halidu Shutti as Director of Human Resources an appointment insiders say fits into Mr. Elegushi’s broader plan to consolidate control and “advance an ethnic agenda” within the organisation.