The Nigerian government has suspended all Christian pilgrimages to Israel and the Middle East due to regional instability and a state of emergency, effective immediately following the safe return of the 2025 pilgrimage batches.
The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) on Tuesday announced the immediate suspension of all pilgrimages to Israel and the Middle East, citing the escalating security crisis and the imposition of a state of emergency in the region. Executive Secretary Stephen Adegbite confirmed that the measure includes operations by private pilgrimage providers, emphasizing that the commission prioritizes the “safety and comfort of Nigerian pilgrims” as it monitors the volatile situation.
While the 2025 main pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan concluded on March 3 with the safe arrival of the final batch of pilgrims in Lagos, Adegbite noted that further travel is “on hold… until the situation normalises,” urging all stakeholders to “pray for peace in Jerusalem and the Middle East.” Despite the current halt, the NCPC expressed gratitude for the executive support from President Bola Tinubu, which has enabled the successful completion of five pilgrimage cycles over the past two years.
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