The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission has approved the resumption of Christian pilgrimage to Israel following a review of security conditions in the Holy Land.
NCPC Executive Secretary Bishop Stephen Adegbite announced the decision on Saturday, August 1, 2026, during a visit to Jerusalem.
The commission had suspended pilgrimage operations to the region in February amid increased security concerns linked to the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Decision Follows Jerusalem Security Assessment
Adegbite said the restriction was lifted after he spent three days in Jerusalem assessing the security situation firsthand.
According to him, conditions in Jerusalem were peaceful enough for Nigerian Christian pilgrims to resume visits.
The announcement formally reopened travel arrangements from Nigeria to Israel for the remaining period of the 2026 pilgrimage programme.
Pilgrims Must Travel Through Tel Aviv
Under the revised arrangement, Nigerian pilgrims will be required to enter and leave Israel through Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.
The commission said pilgrimage journeys passing through Jordan would remain suspended because of continuing security concerns.
Adegbite explained that the NCPC would not expose pilgrims to avoidable risks by reopening the Jordan route before conditions were considered safe.
The decision means pilgrimage operators and intending travellers must arrange direct travel through Tel Aviv rather than use the previously available Jordanian corridor.
NCPC Assures Pilgrims of Safety
The NCPC executive secretary assured prospective pilgrims that the commission would continue prioritising their security and welfare.
He said previous pilgrimage exercises had recorded safe returns and expressed confidence that the 2026 programme would maintain the same standard.
Adegbite also offered prayers for peace, unity and stability in Nigeria.
He prayed for President Bola Tinubu, the First Lady and public officials serving across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
Middle East Tensions Disrupted Pilgrimage
Escalating tensions in the Middle East earlier in the year resulted in heightened security alerts and disruptions to international flights.
Several governments introduced temporary travel restrictions and suspended religious tours to protect their citizens from possible exposure to the conflict.
Nigeria’s suspension affected organised Christian pilgrimage journeys to Israel and surrounding holy sites.
Following the latest assessment, state-sponsored and privately organised pilgrimage operations can now resume between Nigeria and Tel Aviv.
Jordan Route Remains Closed
Although pilgrimage to Israel has been approved, the NCPC has not announced a date for reopening travel through Jordan.
The commission is expected to continue reviewing regional security conditions before making further changes to its pilgrimage routes.
The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission is the federal agency responsible for coordinating and supervising Christian pilgrimage journeys from Nigeria to holy sites in Israel, Jordan, Rome and other approved destinations.
