The Federal Government has ordered an immediate halt to all Christian pilgrimages to Israel, citing growing security concerns in the Middle East.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Stephen Adegbite, during a press briefing in Lagos.
The briefing followed the arrival of about 500 pilgrims at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, marking the conclusion of the 2025 main pilgrimage exercise.
Adegbite disclosed that the pilgrimage programme began on December 29, 2025, with the first batch of pilgrims departing from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Over 4,000 Nigerian Christians were airlifted to the Holy Land during the exercise, which he described as incident-free and well-coordinated.
The 2025 Pilgrimage
According to him, the Commission deployed a Boeing 777-300 aircraft with a 525-seat capacity — the largest aircraft ever used for Christian pilgrimage operations in Nigeria — underscoring the scale and organisation of the exercise.
While commending the smooth completion of the 2025 pilgrimage, Adegbite explained that recent military escalations and the declaration of a state of emergency in Israel necessitated a temporary suspension of all future pilgrimages.
He noted that restrictions on public gatherings and evolving security risks informed the Commission’s decision.
“In light of the current developments in Israel and the wider Middle East, we have resolved to suspend all pilgrimage activities — both those organised by the Commission and private operators — until the situation stabilises,” he stated.
He emphasised that the protection of Nigerian pilgrims remains paramount, assuring that no further trips would be approved until authorities are confident that travel to Israel is safe.
The NCPC boss also appealed to Nigerians to remain calm and avoid actions that could heighten tensions or affect the country’s diplomatic relations. He reiterated that the Federal Government prioritises peace and national security above all else.
Update From The Commission
Adegbite said the Commission would continue to monitor developments closely and provide updates as circumstances evolve.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for what he described as strong and consistent support for pilgrimage activities, both Christian and Muslim.
He also acknowledged the roles played by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, in ensuring the success of the 2025 pilgrimage.
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Concluding, Adegbite urged Christians and peace advocates to pray for calm in Jerusalem and across the Middle East, stressing that while pilgrimage remains spiritually significant, the safety of Nigerian citizens and the nation’s broader interests will always come first.