Tinubu sacks Arabi over N90bn Hajj subsidy scandal, appoints Usman

President Bola Tinubu on Monday sacked Jalal Arabi as the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria over allegations of mismanaging Hajj subsidies to the tune of N90bn.

Arabi’s sacking comes as he is being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for illegal withdrawal and alleged mismanagement of the 2024 Hajj intervention fund.

In his place, Tinubu has appointed Professor Abdullahi Usman, a renowned scholar with qualifications from two Islamic centres of excellence – the University of Madinah and Peshawar University, Pakistan.

Usman is also well-grounded in Hajj operations, having served as the Chairman of Kano State Pilgrims Board.

The EFCC had detained Arabi and the commission’s secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, over the alleged mismanagement of the N90bn fund. A total of SR314,098 was recovered from Arabi and other ranking officials.

The Presidency expects the new Chairman of NAHCON to “discharge his duties with integrity, transparency, and utmost fidelity to the nation.” The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate