NAHCON Commissioner Elegushi Accused of Defying VP’s Directive, Retaining Retired Staff, Ex-Corper Member
By Abdullahi Yusuf
A fresh wave of controversy is sweeping through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) as mounting allegations implicate the Commissioner of Operations, Anofi Elegushi, in what insiders describe as a brazen disregard for civil service rules, Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s explicit directive, and growing tendencies of nepotism and impunity.
Multiple senior staff who spoke on condition of anonymity,disclosed that Mr. Elegushi has continued to retain a retired NAHCON official, Mr. Gaffar, who left the service in 2023.
Despite having no legal standing within the commission, the retired officer allegedly maintains unrestricted access to official operations and enjoys privileges befitting a serving staff.
“He has no portfolio, no official role, yet he attends meetings, travels with the commissioner, and even maintains offices in both Abuja and Saudi Arabia,” one source lamented.
“This is a clear violation of the Public Service Rules, and staff confidence in the system has been badly eroded,” the sources said.
The sources further accused the Commissioner of quietly retaining a female youth corps member who completed her national service months ago.
The ex-corper, allegedly related to Mr. Elegushi, continues to occupy a slot reserved for an incoming NYSC member and reportedly enjoys full staff privileges—an anomaly that has unsettled the commission’s workforce.
The controversy deepened after documents emerged showing that Vice-President Shettima had earlier rejected NAHCON’s request to engage retired personnel on contract.
In a memo titled “RE: Request for Special Waiver to Appoint Three Retired Officers on Contract”, the VP expressly ordered the commission to halt such engagements:
“You are therefore advised to reverse any such engagements and instruct your Human Resources unit to conduct a proper mandate and capability assessment of your workforce,” the memo read.
Yet, in what staff described as a deliberate act of defiance, Mr. Elegushi allegedly continues to accommodate the retired officer and the ex-corper within his operations unit.
Although the staff union reportedly complained in the past about outsiders being placed above legitimate personnel, workers say this particular case has remained untouched.
“People are afraid. The Commissioner is powerful, and even the officer responsible for enforcing the rules the commissioner PPMF—has chosen to look away,” another insider disclosed.
Several members of staff also alleged that the commissioner, who is said to be positioning himself for the NAHCON chairmanship, has begun influencing strategic postings within the commission.
One such move is the alleged redeployment of Halidu Shutti as Director of Human Resources—an appointment insiders say fits into Mr. Elegushi’s broader plan to consolidate control and “advance an ethnic agenda” within the organisation.