Behind Isma’il Yusuf’s Pleas

From early on, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria had been a thorn in the flesh of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, going through three chairmen in three years.
The president then turned to a retired diplomat. Publicly available records suggest Amb. Isma’il Abba Yusuf was a career diplomat and as an ambassador, has the experience of serving in a national security position.
And the challenge Yusuf faces in managing NAHCON at this moment ranks that high. Just over a week ago, he reported that the commission requested that Saudi Arabian authorities increase Nigeria’s quota of 50,000 pilgrims for next year, but was rebuffed.
Saudi authorities review Hajj quotas every year. S...