NAHCON appoints Alidu Shutti as acting secretary

Abdullahi Usman, chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has approved the appointment of Alidu Shutti as the acting secretary of the commission.

Fatima Usara, NAHCON spokesperson, announced the appointment in a statement on Wednesday, following the voluntary resignation of Abdullahi Kontagora, the substantive secretary, on December 6.

Usara said Shutti will act in this capacity until a substantive secretary is appointed.

Before his new role, Shutti served as NAHCON’s director of inspectorate and compliance since 2023.

“Alidu Shutti has served NAHCON in various capacities since 2007, rising through the ranks of the civil service to become a director,” the statement reads.

“Shutti has held several key positions, including head of the tour operators division, assistant director of licensing, deputy director of states and zones, and deputy coordinator of the Makkah office in 2022 and 2023.

“A seasoned Hajj and Umrah administrator, Shutti holds a master’s degree in public administration, a Bachelor of Arts in Islamic Studies, and a diploma in journalism.

“He has also participated in local and international seminars on Hajj in the UK, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.”

CSO COMMENDS NAHCON FOR INTERNAL APPOINTMENT

Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a civil society organisation, praised NAHCON’s leadership for selecting an acting secretary from within its staff.

In a statement on Thursday, Ibrahim Muhammad, IHR’s national coordinator, applauded the decision, citing Shutti’s extensive experience and dedication.

“We have always advocated for looking inwards whenever there is a vacancy within the commission because we believe the staff are better placed to serve better owing to their wealth of experience,” Muhammad said.

“Hajj, being a highly technical and unique exercise, requires people with practical on-field experience to steer it successfully.

“We are particularly delighted in Alidu Shutti’s choice because of his wealth of experience and his remarkable abilities in all the positions he has held in NAHCON to date.”

He noted that internal promotions boost morale and career progression among staff members.

Muhammad also urged Shutti to meet the expectations of NAHCON’s leadership and stakeholders in the hajj and umrah industry.