Corruption Deepens in Nigeria’s Hajj Commission – Sheikh Bin Usman
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu, Democracy Newsline Newspaper
21st October 2025
A serious allegations of deep-rooted corruption within the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), particularly in the recently concluded 2025 Hajj exercise.
Sheikh Muhammad Bin Usman, a member of NAHCON representing the North-West geopolitical zone, made the shocking revelations during a radio interview on the program Rigar Kaya, aired on Lumana Radio International in Kano on Sunday.
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According to Sheikh Bin Usman, the Commission secretly awarded major service contracts for the 2025 Hajj operations to Saudi-based companies without the knowledge of some top officials, including the Director of Operations. “These contracts were awarded in secrecy. Even the Director in charge of operations was unaware, and he expressed his disapproval, vowing to report the matter to the President. It is truly disgraceful,” he said.
He cited the NAHCON Act of 2006, which stipulates that six commissioners, each representing one of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, must be involved in all major decision-making processes. However, he lamented that this provision is often disregarded.
Sheikh Bin Usman gave an example from the previous year when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved ₦90 billion to subsidize the cost of Hajj for Nigerian pilgrims. According to him, neither the six commissioners nor key senior officials were informed of how the funds were disbursed.
“In the 2025 Hajj operations, NAHCON awarded a major contract to a Saudi company without the knowledge of the six commissioners. The Director of Operations was completely unaware. These irregularities are rampant in the award of contracts for accommodation, feeding, and transportation, where officials collude with external parties for personal gain,” he stated.
He further revealed that one of his students in Madinah, who is familiar with the behind-the-scenes dealings in Hajj logistics, warned him about the widespread corruption in housing, feeding, and transport arrangements.
“I will not allow others to commit crimes while I am held responsible. I have a name and reputation to protect. Sadly, NAHCON is being tarnished, and although we are part of it, we cannot remain silent. We must speak the truth to the world,” he said.
Speaking about his personal sacrifices, Sheikh Bin Usman disclosed that he often funds his travel to attend official meetings. “Whenever we have meetings, I cover my own expenses, sometimes even losing hope of reimbursement. I persist regardless.”
Call for EFCC Investigation
The Commissioner called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch a full-scale investigation into NAHCON’s operations.
It is reported that the EFCC is already investigating allegations of misappropriation of over ₦50 billion linked to the 2025 Hajj. The Commission has reportedly questioned NAHCON Chairman, Abdullahi Pakistan, over the alleged misuse of public funds.
Mr. Pakistan is accused of spending ₦25 billion on tent rentals and related arrangements for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, ₦7.9 billion on emergency accommodations, and ₦1.6 billion on travel expenses for female government officials.
In September, EFCC detained NAHCON’s Commissioner for Planning, Personnel and Finance, Aliu Abdulrazak, along with the Director of Finance and Accounts, Aminu Muhammed, in connection with the scandal.
Earlier during a public hearing at the House of Representatives, Chairman Abdullahi Pakistan admitted that there were “irregularities” in the commission and pledged to support all efforts aimed at ensuring accountability and transparency.
