The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has lifted the suspension on Christian pilgrimage to Israel after confirming that the Holy Land is safe for Nigerian pilgrims.
The announcement was made by the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, during a visit to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem on Friday, following a three-day security assessment in Israel. The pilgrimage was suspended in February 2026 due to the United States-Israel-Iran conflict.
Adegbite said Jerusalem remains peaceful and announced the immediate resumption of pilgrimages to Israel. However, he clarified that Nigerian pilgrims would only travel through Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, as Jordan is still considered unsafe for pilgrimage routes.
He assured Nigerians that the Commission would not expose pilgrims to unnecessary risks, noting that previous pilgrims had returned safely and expressing confidence that the 2026 exercise would also be successful.
The Executive Secretary also described Jerusalem as God’s chosen city, prayed for peace across Nigeria, and offered prayers for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the First Lady, government officials, and lasting peace in all regions of the country.
The decision is expected to pave the way for the commencement of the 2026 Christian pilgrimage to Israel under the supervision of the NCPC.