The Federal Government of Nigeria has appointed Ambassador Ismail Yusuf Abba as Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), subject to confirmation by the Senate. The appointment was announced on 11th February 2026, following the resignation of Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman from the position.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Director Information and Public Relations of the Commission Fatima Sanda Usara, said Ambassador Ismail Yusuf Abba is a retired career diplomat and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Turkiye. He was born on 7th July 1962 in Mubi, Adamawa State. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, in 1985 and completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the Ijebu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture in 1986. He joined the Nigerian Foreign Service in December 1986.
During his distinguished diplomatic career spanning over three decades, Ambassador Yusuf attended several advanced professional courses and rose to the rank of Director in 2013. In 2021, he was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Turkiye, where he played an important role in strengthening Nigeria’s bilateral relations with the country, particularly in the areas of defence, security cooperation, trade, investment, and industrial development.
Ambassador Yusuf has served in various diplomatic missions, including Argentina, Italy, and China. At the Ministry’s headquarters, he worked across multiple directorates, including Analysis, Operations, Training, Administration, and Pilgrims Affairs.
Between 2002 and 2007, he anchored the secretariat of the Presidential Committee on Hajj (PCH), which was tasked with initiating and implementing policies for the smooth conduct of Hajj operations in Nigeria. The committee’s work contributed significantly to the establishment of NAHCON in 2006, where Ambassador Yusuf later served as Schedule Secretary.
In 2005, he served as Secretary of a Federal Government delegation to Malaysia and Indonesia to study their Hajj management systems. The delegation’s recommendations contributed to the development of key initiatives, including the Hajj Savings Scheme. He also served as Secretary of the Federal Government Delegation (Amirul Hajj) in 2012 and 2013.
From 2011 to 2013, Ambassador Yusuf served at the Presidential Villa as Special Assistant on Presidential Matters in the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, where he was responsible for memo analysis and coordination of presidential programmes.
He is proficient in Hausa, Yoruba, Igala, English, and Spanish.
The NAHCON Management has welcomed the appointment and expressed readiness to work with the new Chairman. Staff and stakeholders have also been urged to extend their full cooperation and support, especially as preparations for the upcoming Hajj season are already at an advanced stage.
