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The Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission has witnessed a surge of developmental changes since the appointment of Professor Stephen Adegbite as the Executive Secretary of the Commission.
Bishop Adegbite’s stint as Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has been marked by administrative reform, renewed stakeholder confidence, and a strategic repositioning of Christian pilgrimage operations in Nigeria.
Appointed to lead the Commission at a time when public institutions were under increasing scrutiny for transparency and efficiency, Prof. Adegbite brought to the role a reputation for discipline, scholarship, and public service.
Within his first year, he prioritized institutional restructuring aimed at strengthening internal processes and restoring credibility to pilgrimage administration.
Clearer operational guidelines were introduced, with greater emphasis on accountability in the selection, screening, and coordination of pilgrims traveling to holy sites.
A central feature of his tenure was the improvement of relationships between the Commission and state Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards, which was possible through consultative meetings and policy harmonization efforts.
Adegbite encouraged collaboration rather than competition, ensuring smoother coordination of pilgrimage logistics. This strengthened synergy reduced bureaucratic bottlenecks and improved communication between federal and state actors.
Under his leadership, the NCPC also deepened diplomatic and operational ties with host countries, particularly Israel and Jordan, which are central destinations for Nigerian Christian pilgrims.
In an exclusive interview with journalists in his office, the NCPC Boss disclosed that more than 40,000 Nigerians have been transported to the Holy Land since he assumed office two years ago.
Bishop Adegbite, who attributed the achievements to a testament to faith, improved administration, and government support, revealed that no pilgrimage year under his leadership recorded fewer than 20,000 pilgrims, including those sponsored by the government.
“We have conducted five operations since I came. We had the first main pilgrimage.
“We had the Executive one, Executive two, then we had the Easter pilgrimage, and we have this current main pilgrimage for 2025 that is ongoing.
We will conclude by March next month.”Adegbite disclosed
While speaking with the journalists he revealed that the commission deployed wide-body aircraft for the first time in Nigerian Christian pilgrimage history.
“We brought the biggest aircraft to Nigeria for the first time. We brought a Boeing 777 that carries 525, and then the second time, we brought another one that carries 550 at once.”
He stated that the 2025 pilgrimage set new benchmarks in airlift operations and organisation, disclosing that, “For the first time, we brought a Boeing 777 to Nigeria with a capacity of 525 pilgrims, and we thought that was the peak.
“Then we brought another aircraft that carries 550 passengers at once. It shows the scale and organisation we have achieved.”
The NCPC boss used the opportunity to respond to criticisms that government support for pilgrimage amounted to wasteful spending, as he assured that spiritual investment yielded national benefits.
“Anybody saying pilgrimage is a waste of money does not understand scripture.
“Prayer is the sustaining grace we have as a nation; when pilgrims go to the Holy Land, they pray daily for Nigeria.”
Professor Adegbite’s encouragement to Christian to visit the Holy Land is evident in his administration, as he also placed strong emphasis on the spiritual essence of pilgrimage.
Beyond logistics, he consistently framed pilgrimage as a tool for moral renewal and national transformation.
Through orientation programs and stakeholder engagements, pilgrims were encouraged to embody the values of peace, unity, and patriotism upon their return to Nigeria.
