Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission

Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission
Agency overview
Formed28 May 2007
Preceding agency
  • Nigerian Pilgrims Board (re-organized)
JurisdictionNigeria
Headquarters
Agency executive
Parent agency
Federal Government of Nigeria
Child agency
  • State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards
Websitewww.ncpc.gov.ng

The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) is a statutory body of the Federal Government of Nigeria established to regulate, coordinate, and supervise Christian pilgrimage activities from Nigeria to holy sites worldwide, primarily Jerusalem, Jordan, and other Christian pilgrimage destinations.[1][2][3]

History

The NCPC was established by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission Act 2007 (Act No. 74 of 2007), which commenced on 28 May 2007.[4][5] The Act reorganised the role of the Federal Government in Christian pilgrimage matters and repealed the earlier Nigerian Pilgrims Act of 1989.[6] It created the commission as a body corporate with perpetual succession to license, regulate, perform oversight, and provide supervisory functions over Christian pilgrimage operations.[7][2]

Prior to the 2007 Act, pilgrimage coordination was handled under older frameworks. The NCPC was formally set up during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo to bring structure, transparency, and welfare focus to Christian pilgrimages.[8]

Mandate and functions

The core functions of the NCPC, as outlined in the 2007 Act, include:[7]

  • Licensing and regulating pilgrimage operators and service providers.
  • Coordinating the airlifting and welfare of Nigerian Christian pilgrims to holy sites.
  • Supervising state Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards.
  • Ensuring hitch-free pilgrimage exercises through enhanced welfare, security, and logistical support.
  • Promoting responsible leadership and accountability in pilgrimage administration.
  • Exploring and certifying additional holy sites (e.g., initiatives for sites in Turkey and others).

The commission works in collaboration with state governments, airlines, hotels, and international partners to facilitate annual pilgrimages, often to Israel and Jordan.[9][10][11]

Leadership

The NCPC is headed by an Executive Secretary, who serves as the chief executive and accounting officer. As of 2026, the Executive Secretary is Rt. Rev. (Prof.) Stephen Tunde Victor Adegbite, a bishop of the Methodist Church Nigeria, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in January 2024. He also serves as Chaplain of the Aso Rock Villa Chapel.[12]

The commission has a Board comprising a chairman, the Executive Secretary, six Federal Commissioners, and six ex-officio members.[13]

Activities

The NCPC organises annual Christian pilgrimages, issues Jerusalem Pilgrim (JP) certificates, licenses operators, and conducts pre-visit retreats and medical screenings. The commission has also explored expanding pilgrimage destinations and collaborated on interfaith and national development initiatives.[14][15]

In recent years, it has successfully coordinated large-scale pilgrimages to Israel and Jordan while addressing security concerns that occasionally lead to suspensions or adjustments.[16][17]

Relationship with state bodies

The NCPC oversees and collaborates with State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards, which handle grassroots screening and mobilisation of intending pilgrims at the state level.[18]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "NCPC: Pilgrimage, peace building and national development". Blueprint. Abuja, Nigeria. 2021-02-15. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  2. 1 2 "About the NCPC". Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  3. ↑ "NCPC - Embassy of Nigeria to the Holy See". www.embassyofnigeriatotheholysee.it. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  4. ↑ "NIGERIAN CHRISTIAN PILGRIM COMMISSION (ESTABLISHMENT) ACT, 2007" (PDF). 2007.
  5. ↑ "Nigeria Christian pilgrim Commission Act, 2007". PolicyVault.Africa. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  6. ↑ "PLAC - 2004 Laws of Nigeria". placng.org. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  7. 1 2 "NCPC Act". Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  8. ↑ "Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission". Naijadirectory. 2024-12-17. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  9. ↑ "Official Lagos State Website | The best place to find government services and information". lagosstate.gov.ng. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  10. ↑ "NCPC COMMENCES 2025 MAIN PILGRIMAGE EXERCISE TO ISRAEL AND JORDAN ON 29 DECEMBER". www.ncpc.gov.ng. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  11. ↑ "NIGERIAN CHRISTIAN PILGRIM COMMISSION-EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) FOR THE AIRLIFT OF CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS TO AND FROM TURKEY, JORDAN, ISRAEL, ROME AND GREECE FOR 2025 PILGRIMAGE OPERATIONS". April 2, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Executive Secretary Profile". Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  13. ↑ User, Super (2018-02-06). "The Board". www.ncpc.gov.ng. Retrieved 2026-04-12. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  14. ↑ Anthony (2016-01-16). "Commission to explore ways to boost pilgrimage for Christians". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  15. ↑ "Official Lagos State Website | The best place to find government services and information". lagosstate.gov.ng. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  16. ↑ Bello, Hafsat (2026-03-04). "Nigerian govt halts Christian pilgrimage amid Middle East tension". Daily Post. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  17. ↑ "Nigeria halts Christian pilgrimages to Holy Land over Middle East conflict". www.bbc.com. 2026-03-04. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  18. ↑ "PRESS RELEASE: NCPC KICK STARTS SCREENING OF INTENDING PILGRIMS OF DELTA STATE". www.ncpc.gov.ng. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
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