Tinubu Nominates Amb. Ismail Abba Yusuf as NAHCON Chairman, Seeks Senate Confirmation

P President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), subject to confirmation by the Senate.

The nomination was conveyed in a letter sent to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday, requesting the expeditious confirmation of Ambassador Yusuf in line with the provisions of Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act, 2006.

The appointment follows the resignation of the former NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Usman, who stepped down earlier this week after about 14 months in office.

Ambassador Yusuf is a seasoned Nigerian career diplomat with years of experience in foreign service. He previously served as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Türkiye from 2021 to 2024.

According to a State House press release signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President is seeking prompt legislative approval to enable the new nominee to assume office and continue the commission’s mandate.

The statement read, “President Bola Tinubu has nominated Amb. Ismail Abba Yusuf as the new Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON). The appointment is subject to the Senate’s approval in accordance with the provisions of section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act, 2006.”

It added that, “President Tinubu sent a letter today to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, requesting the expeditious confirmation of Ambassador Yusuf to replace Professor Abdullahi Usman, who resigned this week, after about 14 months in the post.”