The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission has lifted its ban on Christian pilgrimage to Israel, months after suspending the programme following the outbreak of the US-Israel-Iran conflict in February.

Executive Secretary Bishop Stephen Adegbite announced the decision at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, saying he had spent three days in the Holy Land confirming that Jerusalem remains peaceful before lifting the ban. He clarified that pilgrims from Nigeria will travel through Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, noting that Jordan remains unsafe and the commission could not risk routing pilgrims through it.

Adegbite said all pilgrims who have travelled under the commission’s programme have returned safely and expressed confidence the 2026 pilgrimage would be no exception, offering prayers for peace across Nigeria’s regions and for the country’s leadership.