The Nigerian Government has announced the immediate suspension of all pilgrimages to Israel following the escalating security situation in the Middle East. The decision was made public on Tuesday through the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC).
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Stephen Adegbite, disclosed this in Lagos shortly after about 500 pilgrims returned from the 2025 Main Pilgrimage exercise, landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The exercise, which commenced on December 29, 2025, began with an inaugural flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and successfully airlifted over 4,000 Nigerian Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land without any reported incident. The Commission deployed a Boeing 777-300 aircraft with a capacity of 525 seats, the largest aircraft ever used for Christian pilgrimage operations in Nigeria.
Adegbite explained that recent military developments in Israel and the wider Middle East, including the declaration of a state of emergency and restrictions on public gatherings by Israeli authorities, necessitated the suspension. He stressed that the safety and welfare of Nigerian pilgrims remain paramount and that the suspension will remain until international travel to Israel is considered safe.
He also cautioned Nigerians against engaging in protests or actions capable of escalating tensions, emphasizing that the Federal Government places high priority on peace, security, and diplomatic relations. Adegbite expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, for their support, which he said contributed to the successful completion of the 2025 pilgrimage exercise. He urged Christians and peace advocates to continue praying for stability in Jerusalem and across the Middle East.
