The embattled Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has resigned, citing "personal reasons" while a storm of corruption allegations swirls violently around his tenure. His exit marks the latest chapter in a saga of dysfunction that has plagued the nation’s pilgrimage operations.

While his official statement was draped in the polite language of "prayerful contemplation," the reality behind the scenes is far more brutal. Usman’s resignation was not voluntary; it was the inevitable collapse of a chairmanship that had lost the confidence of its board, the presidency, and the public. A petition submitted to President Bola Tinubu by the NAHCON board exposed a leadership in freefall, accused of financial recklessness and administrative paralysis.

The Boardroom Revolt

The catalyst for Usman’s departure was a blistering "vote of no confidence" signed by 11 board members. The petition, a copy of which was leaked, painted a picture of a chairman operating as a lone wolf. It accused him of "financial indiscipline," alleging that he repeatedly approved expenditures and awarded contracts without board approval, bypassing the checks and balances designed to protect public funds.

This internal mutiny was not just about procedure; it was about survival. With the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) already circling the agency following the sacking of the previous chairman, Jalal Arabi, the board moved to distance itself from what they saw as a sinking ship. They accused Usman of exposing the commission to "legal, financial, and reputational risks."

• The EFCC Shadow: Sources indicate that Usman is currently under investigation by the EFCC, a detail conveniently omitted from his resignation letter but central to the board’s grievance.
• The Contract Mess: The allegations include the awarding of Hajj-related contracts in violation of the Bureau of Public Procurement Act, a move that allegedly inflated costs and undermined value for money.
• The Presidency's Hand: Insiders suggest that the Presidency gave Usman a "jump or be pushed" ultimatum to avoid further embarrassment ahead of the 2026 Hajj exercise.

A Legacy of Chaos

Usman’s tenure, though short, was turbulent. He was brought in to clean up the mess left by his predecessor, but critics argue he merely added a new layer of confusion. The 2025 Hajj operations were marred by logistical failures, and the financial opaqueness of his administration did little to restore trust among the pilgrims who pay millions for a service that often fails to deliver.

As Usman walks away "in good conscience," the commission he leaves behind is in tatters. The search for a new chairman begins now, but without a fundamental overhaul of NAHCON’s structure, the cycle of scandal, resignation, and probe is destined to repeat itself.