NAHCON Kicks As Senior Workers Allege Nepotism

Association of Senior Civil Servants in Nigeria (ASCSN) has raised concerns against the leadership of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), accusing it of nepotism and unjust appointment of pool officers within the commission’s staff.

In a letter titled, “Urgent Concerns Regarding the Placement of Pool Officers and Administrative Failings” dated March 3, 2025, the association warned that failure to address these concerns could undermine the morale of dedicated personnel and hinder NAHCON’s ability to fulfill its mandate effectively. The letter was directed to the commission’s executive council and board members.

However, NAHCON, while admitting the right of staff unions to advocate for employee welfare, refuted the allegation of nepotism involving its chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh, who was accused of appointing his son as a personal assistant.

The assistant director of information and publications, Fatima Sanda Usara, said the commission as a public establishment always ensured that its leaders and employees were guided by its regulatory framework and civil service procedures in all its operations, administrative or otherwise.

“Contrary to claims circulating in the media, the NAHCON staff union did not submit a petition against the commission’s leadership,” stated Usara, “Instead, the union issued an internal reminder regarding certain internal matters.” The commission asserted that it acknowledged the valuable role of staff unions in advocating for employee welfare, reaffirming its commitment to addressing legitimate demands from the staff regarding elevation and welfare.

This is the first time staff members within the commission formally voiced grievances regarding alleged misconduct by its leadership. The letter, obtained by this publication, was signed by executive officers of the union representing NAHCON staff.

The workers’ petition emerged weeks after media reports highlighted the chairman’s leadership deficiencies and alleged nepotism, with claims that he was being influenced by inexperienced family members.

The allegations include the appointment of the chairman’s biological son as his assistant, and the introduction of the chairman’s nephew, as a special assistant deployed to the accounts department as a deputy director. The deputy director is accused of circumventing financial regulations, allegedly in collusion with some of the chairman’s aides to approve funds without adhering to due process.

The commission however stressed that as a public institution, all appointments and assignments were conducted in strict adherence to established regulatory frameworks and civil service procedures, stressing that claims surrounding the alleged appointment of Professor Saleh’s son and nephew were baseless and incorrect.

The workers also expressed concern on civil servants who have retired from their original organisations only to be reassigned to NAHCON. For instance, an officer who served as a legal adviser in NAHCON after retiring from the Federal Ministry of Justice is alleged to be obstructing investigations into his case, with the Director of Administration, from the same state, reportedly impeding progress, among other allegations.