THIS infographic chronicles the timeline of 57 major scandals of Professor Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), in the last 11 months.
Mr Pakistan took over the mantle of leadership at the Nigerian apex Hajj regulatory commission on October 2, 2024.
The tenure of Mr Pakistan has been marred by so many scandals that include submit the 2025 Hajj report to the Presidency three months after the holy pilgrimage in a clear violation of the NAHCON (Establishment) Act 2022.
Others scandals are submission of fraudulently packaged onshore/offshore budget to Tinubu for 2025 Hajj, sacking his special adviser Shehu Makarfi only to to later denied knowledge of it, name-dropping VP’s name in all his scandals, campaigning for the removal of NAHCON from VP Office’s oversight.
Others are fighting his security detail over sharing of alleged bribe, returning from 2025 Hajj with over 200 luggage (including those of his aides), taking the highest number of personal spouses to Hajj in NAHCON history, and leaving NAHCON bankrupt less than a year after taking over.
There are also scandal over appointment of Saudi service providers, his inability to read, write and communicate in English properly, as well as inability to minute on official files and memos, alleged racketeering in official Hajj seats allocation, spouses appointment racketeering, and appointment of non-professional onto media, medical and ulama committees.
Mr Pakistan has allagedly spent N25 billion on officials, staff, and Board members in Hajj 2025; N1.4 billion as allowances of committees, among others.
The NAHCON chief also appointed his brother, son, nephew as special advisers, hired external and retired workers, and engaged Ekram Diaf as sole service provider for 2026 Hajj without following due process.
Another scandal was the engagement of 6,500 bed spaces for non-existent pilgrims in Makkah, and defying Vice President Kashim Shettima’s order to disengage external staff members.
Under Mr Pakistan, Nigeria lost the prestigious Tent A in Minah for the first time in decades, alleged budget padding of N5 billion in 2025.
The Forum of state executive secretaries accuse Mr Pakistan of incompetence, alleged corruption. The tour operators also accused him of discrimination, favouratism during 2025 Hajj, while NAHCON staffers planned showdown over external staff members.
