The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has lifted the suspension on Christian pilgrimage to Israel, paving the way for Nigerian pilgrims to resume visits to the Holy Land.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Bishop Prof. Stephen Adegbite, announced the decision at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem after assessing the security situation in Israel.
The pilgrimage exercise had been suspended in February following the outbreak of the US-Israel-Iran conflict. However, Adegbite said the situation had improved significantly, describing Jerusalem as peaceful and safe for pilgrims.
He clarified that Nigerian pilgrims would travel through the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, noting that Jordan remains unsafe for pilgrimage routes at the moment.
The NCPC boss expressed confidence that the 2026 pilgrimage would be conducted successfully, stressing that previous pilgrimages had been completed without incident.
Adegbite also offered prayers for lasting peace in Israel and across Nigeria, including for President Bola Tinubu, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and all six geopolitical zones of the country.
The Commission said preparations are now underway to resume Christian pilgrimages to Israel under the new travel arrangements.
