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Factcheck: 15 lies NAHCON Chairman Pakistan made in Daily Trust interview

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The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan, has claimed recently, among others, that the 2025 Hajj operation he conducted was the best since the establishment of the commission in the last 19 years.
 
An audio clip reviewed by this newspaper revealed that Mr Pakistan granted the interview in Hausa, but it was translated into English — even though it was not indicated that it was conducted in Hausa — largely due to the NAHCON chairman’s incapacity to speak and write in English. Insiders said Mr Pakistan visited Daily Trust three times before the interview.

The translated version of the interview was published at the weekend edition of the Daily Trust, dated September 20, 2025. The claims were shared and reposted in several WhatsApp groups, Facebook, and other blogs.
 
CLAIM NO.1
 “When we finished the last (2025) Hajj operation, the world acknowledged it as the best since the commission’s inception. Not a single pilgrim complained.”
 
VERIFICATION
This newspaper’s Fact-Check team has worked round-the-clock to establish the veracity of Mr Pakistan’s claims. The team gauged the verdict of Hajj stakeholders, including state pilgrims’ boards, tour operators, staff, airlines, pilgrims, security agencies, Saudi service providers, Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and others, as well as the review of various official documents and media reportage (print, radio, television and digital) on the 2025 Hajj. The stakeholders’ conclusion was that the 2025 Hajj was the most scandalous, disorganized, marred by poorest leadership in the history of Hajj operation in Nigeria. And they drew their conclusions based on the following facts:

The NAHCON chairman failed to secure visas for over 2,700 Nigerian intending pilgrims. Payment for 14,000 unregistered pilgrims for Masha’ir services leading to the loss of N23 billion. Protests by pilgrims in Niger, Kwara, and Lagos states during the outbound journey to Saudi Arabia. Series of formal complaints by the Forum of State Chief Executives of Pilgrim Welfare Board/Commissions and their subsequent vote of no confidence on the NAHCON leadership in which they described the 2025 Hajj as a failure. Also, tour operators and their leadership were unanimous in dismissing the 2025 Hajj as a bad outing. Poor administrative skills by Mr Pakistan triggered rounds of petitions by board members, staff, airlines, Saudi service providers, among others.

Mr Pakistan’s gagging of the 50-man media team by lobbying journalists not to report the multi-faceted challenges that marred the operation was bankrolled by one of the Nigerian Hajj carriers and superintended by a NAHCON former staff. Extra-budgetary expenditure of over 300 percent above the commission’s budget for the 2025 Hajj approved by Mr President. Confusion that surrounded the inaugural flight dates and location, forcing postponement five times. Setting up of a special team by the Saudi ministry of Hajj to coordinate Nigeria’s Hajj operation due to inconsistencies of the Nigerian Hajj leadership. The Saudi Hajj ministry had severally warned, reprimanded and scolded Mr Pakistan over his ineffectual leadership. Wasted of N8 billion on 6,500 bed spaces for non-existent pilgrims in Makkah. Micromanagement of the Hajj by the Office of the Vice President due to Mr Pakistan’s cluelessness and glaring incompetence. Unfavorable reports by the Nigerian security and anti-corruption agencies as revealed during the meeting with the Vice President on September 12, 2025 that 2025 Hajj was the most corrupt and the worst in Nigerian history. Audio-visual evidence of poor feeding in Madinah and accommodating some pilgrims outside Markaziyah. Also, worse type of meal were given to some states and tour operators pilgrims in Makkah, Madinah, and Masha’ir. Protests by NAHCON stakeholders in Makkah. NAHCON contingents of over 3,000 people had their own share of the bad outing by having terrible accommodations far away from Haram as well as poor feeding. NAHCON’s glaring inability to sanction any service provider despite mounting evidence of breaches by most of the service providers. Poor coordination of inbound flights. Despite the small number of pilgrims in the 2025 Hajj, they spent an average of 35 days in Saudi Arabia— one of the longest in the history of the commission. Poor services at Masha’ir by all the service providers except Mashariq Dhahabiah that provided enough bedding, quality food, robust security, cleanliness of the tents, adequate toilet facilities with even extra urinals, as well as free meal to pilgrims on their way back to Nigeria. Mismanagement of NUSUK and poor coordination of reception of pilgrims in Madinah, and during their transportation to Makkah and Masha’ir. Overall lack of synergy and team work. Over 60 un-defended allegations against the NAHCON chairman as published in an infographics widely circulated. Facing corruption allegations probe from EFCC, ICPC, Saudi Nazaha, and Ri’āsat Al-Istikhbārāt Al-‘Āmah. And above all, Mr Pakistan’s inability to submit the 2025 Hajj report as at when due. Thus, the claim of success song is only being sang by Mr Pakistan and his ‘data boys’ and few politicians that are taking advantage of Mr Pakistan’s incapacity to milk the commission dry. Throughout the 2025 Hajj, NAHCON didn’t operate a single medical clinic in Madinah. While in Makkah, it operated only one clinic at the tale end of the operation.

VERDICT: Mr Pakistan’s claim of conducting the best Hajj in 2025 is FALSE.

CLAIM NO.2
“The authorities have told us that the evidence that led to EFCC’s involvement came from within the commission. Such internal allegations should have followed due process: the complainant should first lodge a complaint internally, and only if dissatisfied, proceed further. Till date, we have not received a single formal complaint within the commission.”
 
VERIFICATION
Investigations have shown that Mr Pakistan has lied that he didn’t receive a single complaint from the staff since he came on board. Contrary to his claims, the Association of Senior Civil Servants in Nigeria, NAHCON chapter, had written a petition to the management, titled: “Urgent concerns regarding the placement of pool officers and administrative lapses”, dated March 3, 2025, and addressed to the NAHCON executive council and board members. The workers threatened a showdown with the leadership of the commission over alleged financial recklessness and favoritism that include “unjust placement of seconded officers over the commission workers” among others.
Aside from the workers, the Hajj commission board members have also petitioned Mr Pakistan for allegedly excluding them from running the affairs of the commission. In a petition dated March 13, 2025 and titled “Deliberate exclusion from the oversight functions”, the eight non-permanent commissioners have accused the chairman of excluding them from their statutory oversight responsibilities in the commission.
 
Other official documents reviewed by this newspaper show that the numerous complaints were written internally for the chairman’s attention— but only to be blocked by Mr Pakistan’s son, brother and nephew — due to the chairman’s inability to read and write in English.

VERDICT: False.
 
CLAIM N0.3
“Before my appointment, no chairman mandated that staff be paid 30 days’ allowances; they usually received two weeks to 15 days during Hajj operations.”
 
VERIFICATION
 A thorough investigation revealed that there were years that staff were paid 45 days and even higher. The least ever paid to staff was once for 18 days. Findings by this newspaper revealed that payment of number of days as estacode is dependent on the revenue generated for that year. It was found out that some of Mr Pakistan’s predecessors, particularly Muhammadu Musa Bello and Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad. were known for fiscal discipline and compliance to budgetary provisions. Also, Jalal Ahmad Arabi attempted similar fiscal discipline. While same can’t be said about Zikirullah Kunle Hassan’s tenure. Accounts documents on estacode and staff allowances expenditure reviewed by this newspaper revealed that Mr Pakistan had recklessly over-shot that subhead by over 200 percent. And this is one of the core issues under investigation by EFCC and DSS.

VERDICT: False.

CLAIM NO.4
“Also, previously, NAHCON staff were forbidden from performing Hajj during operations; that tradition lasted more than 10 years. I allowed everyone who wanted to perform Hajj during operations to do so and the workers were happy.” 
 
VERIFICATION
Previous Hajj reports cited by this newspaper have shown that from the 1st to the 3rd NAHCON boards, staff were allowed to perform Hajj except those who volunteered not to perform and they were rewarded for their sacrifice. The prohibition policy was introduced by the 4th board in 2023 that any staff who performed Hajj for five years Hajj with the commission should serve the pilgrims except those who are retiring that year. With this, is expedient for Mr Pakistan to be bold enough to blame his friend Mr Zikirullah Kunle Hassan who introduced the policy in 2023, and Jalal Ahmed Arabi – who stopped all staff from performing Hajj in 2024. Therefore, to say NAHCON staff were prohibited from performing Hajj in the last 10 years is a deliberate lie.

VERDICT: Misleading.

CLAIM NO.5
“I have acquired moderate English ability, though I am more fluent in Arabic. My English is not so weak that I cannot understand documents; if I don’t, I am never too shy to ask someone more informed.”

VERIFICATION
Mr Pakistan’s admission that he is weak in English and never shy to also ask those are more informed, has confirmed that some NAHCON files cited by this newspaper which contained minutes purportedly written by Mr Pakistan, while the handwriting analysis conducted revealed that there are at least four different types of handwriting which insiders allegedly said were handwriting of his erstwhile Special Adviser Dr Shehu Makarfi, his biological brother Surajo Salisu Usman, his son Aliyu and that of his nephew Abdulamalik Diggi. Even after the exit of Makarfi, Surajo and Abdulmalik, the files in Mr Pakistan’s office are now being treated allegedly by Mr Abdulkadir Oloye, and Haruna Danbaba. Findings by this newspaper from seasoned administrators, lawyers, anti-graft officials have shown that this act is criminal and abuse of public trust. Mr Pakistan also showcased his ignorance when he said that Arabic is an advantage in managing Hajj operations. He forgets that of the 12 months in the year, pilgrims stay only one month in Saudi Arabia. The chairman has also portrayed his lack of understanding of diplomatic protocols. The national language of Nigeria is English. It is expected that wherever official functions he attends in Nigeria and abroad, he should speak in English.

VERDiCT: Verily, Mr Pakistan CAN’T read and write in English.

CLAIM NO.6
“This year, I used my contacts to secure space in a building closer to Jamarat for some dignitaries, and the cost was the same as what is paid in the field.’

VERIFICATION
Findings have shown that Mr Pakistan the Tent A+ tents he is boasting of is about one hour walk to the Jamarat. It is on records that the chairman has failed to secure the original Tent A which is about five minutes walk to Jamarat— and used by Nigerians for decades. Therefore, Mr Pakistan’s negligence and lack of capacity led to the Nigeria’s loss of its traditional Tent A to Pakistan during the 2025 Hajj. On a lighter note, some stakeholders have said that Mr Abdullahi Saleh Usman, alias Pakistan, might have deliberately allowed Nigeria to lose the premium Tent A to allow his ‘original country’ — Pakistan – to enjoy.
  
VERDICT: Misleading.

 CLAIM NO.7
“I met the commissioners here, so I am somewhat new to them. As the saying goes, “The eye doesn’t like a stranger.” Maybe some wondered, “Why wasn’t I chosen? Why bring in this ustaz to lead us?.
 
VERIFICATION
Interviews conducted by this newspaper with some of the commissioners and board members of NAHCON revealed that Mr Pakistan’s autocratic style of leadership, nepotism, and cronyism made him to feel disliked by others. This is because in public set up with clear definition of responsibility, and in sensitive organizations like NAHCON where team work is expected, no one would stand this negative attitude of Mr Pakistan. An official letter cited by this newspaper revealed how the Vice President scolded Mr Pakistan that he should stop operating like a Sole Administrator. Also, Mr Pakistan’s lack of understanding of team work might not be unconnected to how his CV was fraudulently Hajj-related packaged to Mr President; and also due to lack of administrative experience.

VERDICT: Mr Pakistan is living under grand illusion.

CLAIM NO.8
“In Madinah, every pilgrim who went this year got accommodation closer to the Haram than ever before. We secured locations previously reserved for ministers, governors or the wealthy.”

VERIFICATION
Findings have shown that partial movement of Nigerian pilgrims to Markaziyah started in 2014. By 2015, all Nigerian pilgrims were fully moved to Markaziyah. It was on records that between 2015 to 2019, Nigerian pilgrims were lodged in some of the best hotels in Madinah such as Hilton, Darud Tawhid, Taiba Arak, Marriot, among others. Truth is, in 2025 Hajj superintended by Mr Pakistan, some pilgrims were housed outside Markaziyah. And some rented houses outside Markaziyah were never used by the pilgrims causing colossal loss to Nigeria. Further findings by this newspaper revealed that Mr Pakistan secured 6,000 extra bed spaces in Madinah as against the agreed 11,000 bed space which was used in computing the Hajj fare — by implication unappropriated public funds were used to augment and pay up the difference. It was also uncovered that the chairman had sidestepped paying the contractors through the approved electronic platform — NUSUK. Instead, he paid for most of the services through cheques — a clear violation of the extant fiscal rules in Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. Also, the this year’s Madinah accommodation, feeding, coordination and medical services were adjudged to be the worst in Nigeria’s history.

VERDICT: Misleading.

CLAIM NO.9
“For instance, before my assumption, services at Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah were charged about 4,770Riyals. With this initiative, I was able to get service providers to reduce that by 720Riyals per pilgrim; and 720 times, 405 is a significant sum.”

VERIFICATION
Data from NAHCON has faulted this claim. Mr Pakistan is only stealing credit that doesn’t belong to him. It was the involvement of the state chief executives of state pilgrims boards in the negotiations during the 2025 Hajj that brought down the Masha’ir cost from 4,770 Saudi riyal to 4,050 Saudi riyal per pilgrim. Even for 2026 Hajj, the states were able to get further reduction of 150 Saudi riyal, making it 3,900 Saudi riyal. Mr Pakistan has indeed embarked on a desperation race to claim what he didn’t work for.

VERDICT: Misleading.

CLAIM NO.10
“Another change was persuading the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to drop a policy that had pilgrims issued only credit cards.”

VERIFICATION
Checks by this newspaper revealed that the CBN intended to introduce the use of ATM cards to substitute pilgrims BTA cash payment since Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s tenure as governor. All previous NAHCON chief executives resisted the policy without involving the then Vice President or the President. However, in 2025, when the matter was brought up again by CBN, it was the was the Vice President Kashim who intervened leading to its suspension.

VERDICT: False claim.

CLAIM NO.11
“Because I am confident that a sincere and fair investigation (by EFCC) will show that I am not guilty. I have not committed the acts I am being accused of.”

VERIFICATION
Contrary to Mr Pakistan’s claims of innocence and guilt-imbued confidence, findings revealed that he is moving from pillar to post, seeking intervention on EFCC investigations. Findings at EFCC have shown that Mr Pakistan is expected to appear for questioning at the EFCC on October 2, 2025.

VERDICT: Time will tell.

 CLAIM NO.12
“From what I have gathered, most complaints originated within the commission, often because someone felt bitter that others travelled to Saudi without them, or because someone complained that another person had received something and they did not. Out of envy, some decided to blackmail the commission.”
 
VERIFICATION
Discreet checks by this newspaper revealed that Mr Pakistan’s petitioners are well known as evidently as some are in record. They include the Staff Union of the commission, Full-time Commissioners, Board Members, State Pilgrims Boards, leadership of tour operators, airlines, some engaged Saudi service providers, some service providers who were shortchanged after parting with huge bribes, some presidential aides who were also shortchanged by Mr Pakistan in sharing alleged kickbacks, some aggrieved disengaged personal staff of Mr Pakistan, some aggrieved pool staff redeployed to their agencies, and some pilgrims who fully paid their fares but were registered as staff spouses and NAHCON stakeholders list— with services not commensurate with what they paid for. There are also officials with expectations of being paid normal allowances — but ended up being paid peanuts, and some without the peanuts. In addition to all these, other agencies such as NIA, EFCC, DSS, ICPC, DIA, DMI, NFIU, among others, that sent their staff for covert operations during the Hajj and submitted reports that could be indicting, must have added credence to the petitions against Mr Pakistan. Among the petitioners are the aggrieved faction of Mr Pakistan’s Izala sect headquarters in Jo’s, as well as other Muslim sects who feel that Mr Pakistan is alienating them and favoriting his group. There are also some Muslim clerics believe that Mr Pakistan has used and dumped them. This newspaper also obtained comments from different stakeholders who averred that instead of Mr Pakistan to be searching for the petitioners, he should go and address the infractions raised in the petitions. Insiders at the Presidency said there are more than 70 petitions against him, while there are over 100 at the EFCC, and dozens others at the DSS, ICPC, and NIA. This is not to mention many unfavorable diplomatic correspondences.

VERDICT: Misleading.

CLAIM NO.13
“We noticed that we were paying Hajj carriers (airlines) in dollars. Because exchange rates often surge between when we contract and when we pay, that caused serious problems. We, therefore, insisted that every airline working with us agree to accept payment in naira since pilgrims pay in naira for Umrah and business trips. We convinced them to accept naira payments, and that has helped us greatly.”

VERIFICATION
Contrary to Mr Pakistan’s claims, payment of Hajj air carriers in naira is nothing to be proud up since there is no disparity between the official and the open market price of the dollar since President Bola Tinubu’s coming to power. However, checks have shown that Mr Pakistan has lied that he paid ALL Hajj carriers in naira. Official documents cited by this newspaper have shown that one of the airlines was actually paid in the local currency of its country.

VERDICT: Misleading.

CLAIM NO.14

“When I first investigated, I discovered that in the 2023 Hajj, a service paid for by pilgrims – air conditioning – was not rendered in Mina and Arafat. Pilgrims had paid for air conditioners but did not receive it. I refunded N5.3 billion to Nigerians: each of the 95,000 pilgrims received N60,000 and some change.”

VERIFICATION

This newspaper found out that refunds is a routine process after every Hajj operation. The 2023 air conditioning refund, this newspaper further learned, was a directive by the EFCC to Mr Pakistan. This newspaper gathered that Mr Jalal Arabi was to effect the EFCC directive but his tenure was cut short. Therefore, Mr Pakistan has no any other option than to continue with the refund process.
As at August 7, 2025, there is still 6.9 million Saudi riyal balance from the 2023 Hajj refunds that Mr Pakistan has refused to disburse to states.

VERDICT: Misleading.

CLAIM NO.15
“Those flying from the North-West or North-Central received a dollar reduction of $116. Those from the North-East got $149 reduction because of proximity to Saudi Arabia. The South, farthest from Makkah, received $138 reduction. These reductions collectively produced savings that exceeded N50 billion.”

VERIFICATION
Findings by this newspaper have shown reductions in any Hajj fare component is not savings. It is simply a process of negotiations by state pilgrims boards. Official documents analyzed by this newspaper have shown that between 2015 to 2019, the cost of Hajj return ticket was reduced from 1,960 U.S. dollar to 1,450 U.S. dollar. So, reductions in Hajj fare component is not new and cannot be called savings but reduction in component of Hajj fare.

VERDICT: False.

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