BREAKING: Shettima Fires Shot At Tinubu’s Appointee, “Sole Administrator”
Vice President Kashim Shettima has sent a warning message to the chairman and chief executive officer of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Saleh-Usman, against acting like a sole administrator in administering the activities of the Nigerian pilgrims.
This vice president issued the warning in an official letter sent to the NAHCON boss over the allegation of violation of the procurement process, sidelining of the commission’s members, gross misconduct, illegal appointment of aides and several other allegations.
Why Shettima warned the NAHCON chairman
According to Daily Nigerian, Shettima’s letter to the NAHCON chairman was dated March 17, 2025, with the reference number SH/OVP/DCOS/NAHCON. It was titled ‘Re-Deliberate Exclusion from the Exercise of Oversight Functions.’
The letter was said to have been signed by the deputy chief of staff to the office of the president, the vice president’s office, Sen. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia.
Shettima was said to be angry with the leadership style of the NAHCON chairman, particularly on setting up committees that will make decisions on behalf of the board, which was alleged to be violating the commission’s act.
The letter reads in part:
“The act does not envisage a sole administrator role and each member has a responsibility to the zone or entity he or she represents, especially concerning all decisions relating to pilgrims’ welfare.”
Has the NAHCON chairman replied to Shettima?
The letter further explained that the NAHCON chairman acknowledged and apologised for the lapses but did nothing to correct the concerns going forward. Hadejia said that the NAHCON’s chairman’s attention be drawn to the commission’s act, especially the proceedings where all reference to the regulatory responsibility and powers of the commission refers to it as a whole.
President Bola Tinubu had, in August 2024, announced the appointment of Professor Abdullahi Saleh-Usman as the chairman of the hajj commission. Saleh-Usman’s appointment followed the sacking of the former NAHCON chairman, Jalal Arabi.
Saleh-Usman, who earlier served as the chairman of the Kano Hajj commission, was urged to be professional, demonstrate dedication, integrity and transparency in his conduct in the new role. His appointment was later confirmed by the Senate.
NAHCON speaks on 2025 Hajj fare
Legit.ng earlier reported that NAHCON chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, reassures Nigerians that efforts are underway to reduce the projected N10 million fare for the 2025 hajj.
Usman expressed hope that the fare would not reach the projected amount, emphasising that NAHCON efforts.
In response to concerns from the Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHOUN), Usman confirmed that discussions have resolved the issue.
