On Thursday, October 10, the Nigerian Senate confirmed Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman’s appointment as the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The confirmation followed the Senate’s review and adoption of the Foreign Affairs Committee’s report, presented by its chair, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello (APC-Niger North).
President Bola Tinubu initially nominated Professor Usman on August 19, 2024, through an announcement by his then-special adviser on media, Ajuri Ngelale, and formally requested the Senate’s approval.
Known for his expertise in Hajj operations, Professor Usman previously chaired the Kano State Pilgrim’s Board, overseeing the state’s large pilgrim quota with recognised efficiency.
After a thorough screening, Senator Bello reported that Usman was well-qualified for the role.
When Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the nomination to a voice vote, the Senate granted unanimous approval for Professor Usman’s appointment, supporting his leadership at Nigeria’s central Hajj agency.
Meanwhile, News About Nigeria reported that NAHCON announced that Nigerian pilgrims who participated in the last Hajj exercise will get a refund of N95,000 each.
The refund announcement was made by NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Anofi Olanrewaju-Elegushi, in a statement by the Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Usara, on Monday in Abuja.
In the statement, Olanrewaju-Elegushi explained that the refund is for services not rendered by the Saudi Hajj Ministry at Masha’ir during the last Hajj.
“All 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims that travelled for Hajj in 2023 from both states and private operators are to receive SR150 each (one hundred and fifty Saudi Riyals) as a refund,” the statement partly reads.
