Nigeria lifts ban on Christian pilgrimage to Israel

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Bishop Prof. Stephen Adegbite, has announced the lifting of the ban on Christian pilgrimage to Israel.

This ban was originally imposed in February 2026 due to the onset of the US-Israel-Iran conflict.

Bishop Adegbite made the announcement at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem on 1st August 2026. He stated: “I promised everyone that I would be here to see what is happening in the Holy Land. I have been here for the last three days. The Holy Land is peaceful. Jerusalem is at peace and will continue to be at peace.”

As a result, he declared: “The ban on Christian pilgrimage from Nigeria to Israel is hereby lifted from today.”

He clarified that this lifting of the ban allows Nigerian pilgrims to travel exclusively through Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. He noted that travel through Jordan is not safe at the moment, and the Commission cannot take that risk.

Bishop Adegbite emphasised that Jerusalem is a chosen nation and that everyone who sets foot in the Promised Land of Jerusalem will be blessed, and every prayer offered there will be answered.

He further reassured that all pilgrims who have traveled previously have returned safely, and he expects the same for the 2026 pilgrimage, affirming, “the Lord has always been our shield and buckler.”

He also extended prayers for peace, including those for the President of Nigeria, the First Lady, all members of government, and specifically for peace in the North East, North Central, North West, South South, South East, and South West regions of Nigeria.