3,000 Nigerians Set for Israel, Jordan Pilgrimage as NCPC Announces November 23 Take-Off

The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has announced November 23, 2026, as the commencement date for its 2026 main pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan, with more than 3,000 Nigerians expected to participate.

The Commission’s Executive Secretary, Bishop Prof. Stephen Adegbite, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja, assuring intending pilgrims that comprehensive security and medical arrangements had been put in place to safeguard their welfare throughout the exercise.

Adegbite said the Commission would maintain strict security surveillance and emergency response measures, particularly in view of the volatile security history of the Middle East.

He explained that pilgrimage activities were suspended earlier in the year following renewed hostilities in Israel but were scheduled to resume after sustained monitoring of the security situation in Israel, Jordan and neighbouring countries.

“Safety is not negotiable. The safety of Nigerians is paramount, and that can never be negotiated or taken for granted,” he said.

Giving an account of the Commission’s previous emergency operations, Adegbite revealed that 534 Nigerians caught in the crossfire during the latest Middle East crisis were successfully evacuated and returned home without any loss of life.

He said the affected Nigerians were moved from Jordan to Istanbul, Turkey, before arrangements were completed for their return to Nigeria.

He also recalled coordinating the evacuation of 254 Nigerians during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, noting that the experiences had strengthened the Commission’s emergency response capacity.

Medical screening, specialists for pilgrims

On healthcare arrangements, the NCPC boss said medical screening would be compulsory for all intending pilgrims, adding that individuals whose health conditions could expose them to serious complications might not be cleared for the journey.

He disclosed that the Commission would deploy doctors, nurses, neurologists, physiotherapists and other medical specialists to provide continuous healthcare support from departure in Nigeria until the pilgrims return.

The medical teams, he said, would monitor participants, attend to emergencies and conduct health checks after daily activities, with particular attention to pilgrims managing conditions such as hypertension.

State governments sponsoring pilgrims would also be required to conduct medical examinations before departure.

Adegbite advised participants to maintain adequate hydration and observe necessary precautions against weather-related health challenges in the Holy Land.

January 9 deadline for return

The pilgrimage is expected to run from November 23 to December 31, with possible extensions into early January 2027.

However, Adegbite set January 9, 2027, as the final deadline for all participants to return to Nigeria, insisting that no pilgrim would be allowed to remain abroad during the forthcoming general elections.

“I will not allow any Nigerian to be outside the country while the election is going on,” he said.

He added that the Commission had notified the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure appropriate government coordination.

Direct flights to Israel likely

In another development, Adegbite disclosed that Nigerian pilgrims could begin enjoying direct flights to Israel before the end of the 2026 exercise.

He explained that the Commission sometimes routes pilgrims through Jordan because some applicants are unable to secure Israeli visas.

Such individuals, he said, could still participate in the pilgrimage through Jordan, which also serves as an alternative destination for those denied entry clearance to Israel.

The Commission, he added, conducts additional screening to identify applicants considered potential absconders and may restrict some participants to Jordan.

NCPC introduces $15,000 penalty for absconding

Adegbite also warned against using the pilgrimage programme as a means of illegal migration, disclosing that the Commission had introduced stricter measures to ensure participants return home after the exercise.

Under the new arrangement, every intending pilgrim must provide a guarantor who will sign an undertaking committing the participant to return to Nigeria.

He said guarantors whose beneficiaries absconded could face a $15,000 financial penalty and possible imprisonment.

Other requirements include the submission of relevant bank statements, while security personnel would accompany pilgrims to monitor their movements and ensure compliance with accommodation arrangements.

Adegbite stressed that the pilgrimage was a spiritual exercise rather than an opportunity for holidays, shopping or sightseeing.

He disclosed that participants would undertake structured religious activities, including early morning prayers and visits to biblical locations, guided by a handbook prepared by the Commission.

The prayers, he said, would focus on God, Nigeria, families and individual needs, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

During the briefing, Adegbite also expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, saying he hoped the President would secure another term in 2027.

He attributed the Commission’s ability to sustain its pilgrimage subsidy arrangements to the financial support of the Tinubu administration and commended the President, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.

The NCPC boss further disclosed that selected journalists would participate in the exercise to observe the security arrangements and conditions in the Holy Land.

He expressed confidence that the forthcoming pilgrimage would build on previous exercises conducted under his leadership, with safety, medical preparedness, spiritual commitment and strict return procedures guiding the programme.