Abuja, February 18, 2026 –
The Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has come under scrutiny after spending a staggering ₦498 million on a trip for federal lawmakers and commission officials to Rome and Israel.
Documents obtained from the public payments portal, GovSpend, reveal that the funds were paid to Tsalianim Travels and Tours Limited on February 26, 2025, covering air tickets and ground handling services. The payment was described as for a “research and programme development visit” under the capital expenditure code NCPC/CAP/005/24.
The NCPC, the federal agency responsible for coordinating Christian pilgrimages from Nigeria to holy sites, including Israel and Rome, said the trip was meant to support research and program development. However, the disclosure comes amid rising public criticism over government travel expenses and calls for more transparency in the use of taxpayers’ money.
President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of nine board members to the NCPC in January 2024, including Colonel Aloche Adole as Chairman and representatives from all geopolitical zones and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
The NCPC has a history of controversies. In 2022, civic group Civil Rights Action Against Corruption (CRAAC) accused the commission of widespread corruption, alleging mismanagement peaked under former Executive Secretary Rev. Yakubu Pam. The same year, CAN also demanded a probe into alleged embezzlement of pilgrimage funds by the NCPC, specifically accusing Rev. Pam of misappropriating state-provided funds.
As Nigerians continue to demand accountability, the ₦498 million pilgrimage expenditure is likely to fuel debates about transparency and governance in government agencies.
