Pilgrimage to Israel Back On as NCPC Lifts Travel Suspension

The announcement was made by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, during a visit to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem on Friday, August 1, 2026.

The suspension had been imposed in February this year following the outbreak of the United States-Israel-Iran conflict. However, after spending three days in Israel to assess the security situation, Adegbite said the Commission was satisfied that conditions had improved.

According to a statement issued by the Director of Media and Public Relations of the Commission, Celestine Toruka, the Executive Secretary said Jerusalem remains peaceful and safe for pilgrimage.

"I promised everyone that I would come here to see what is happening in the Holy Land. I have been here in the last three days. 

"The Holy Land is peaceful. Jerusalem is at peace and will continue to be at peace," Adegbite said.

He subsequently announced the immediate lifting of the ban on Christian pilgrimage to Israel.

The NCPC boss, however, clarified that Nigerian pilgrims would only be permitted to travel through the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, noting that Jordan was still considered unsafe for pilgrimage routes.

He explained that the Commission would not expose pilgrims to unnecessary risks by allowing travel through Jordan until security conditions improve.

Bishop Adegbite expressed confidence in the safety of the pilgrimage exercise, stressing that all previous Nigerian pilgrims had returned home safely and that the 2026 pilgrimage would not be different.

"The Lord has always been our shield and buckler," he said.

He also described Jerusalem as the chosen city of God, expressing his belief that those who visit the Holy Land would receive divine blessings and that prayers offered there would be answered.

The Executive Secretary further offered prayers for peace across Nigeria, praying for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the First Lady, government officials, and lasting peace in the North East, North Central, North West, South South, South East and South West regions of the country.

The lifting of the restriction is expected to pave the way for the commencement of the 2026 Christian pilgrimage to Israel under the supervision of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission.