President Bola Tinubu has removed Jalal Arabi from his position as the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) amidst an ongoing investigation into the alleged mismanagement of a N90 billion Hajj subsidy fund. Arabi, who was appointed just last October, has been under scrutiny by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which has detained him and other officials as part of the probe.
The President’s decision was announced on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale. In a statement titled ‘President Tinubu Appoints Chairman of National Hajj Commission,’ Ngelale confirmed the appointment of Professor Abdullahi Usman as the new NAHCON Executive Chairman.
The EFCC’s investigation, which began on August 16, revealed alleged illegal withdrawals and financial mismanagement within the commission. Arabi and NAHCON Secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, were implicated in the scandal, with the EFCC recovering a total of SR314,098 from the officials. The anti-graft agency alleged that Arabi had overpaid himself and others from the Hajj subsidy, far beyond the necessary operational costs.
The Presidency praised Usman, the new appointee, as a scholar with distinguished qualifications from the University of Madinah and Peshawar University in Pakistan. Usman’s extensive experience includes serving as Chairman of the Kano State Pilgrims Board, where he managed the largest quota of state pilgrims in Nigeria.
President Tinubu has tasked the new NAHCON Chairman with upholding the principles of integrity, transparency, and national service as he takes on his new role. Usman’s appointment is pending confirmation by the Senate.
