Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Christian Religion Matters, Very Reverend Adebukola Adeleke; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Adewunmi Ogunsanya; Honourable Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode; Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr Gbenga Omotoso during the Lagos State Year 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing In Commemoration of The Seventh Year In Office of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu Held at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, The Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.15th May 2026.
By Kayode Olopade
The Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board has recorded remarkable achievements in the 2025/2026 operational year, successfully conducting the Holy Land pilgrimage exercise, expanding stakeholder engagement across the state and unveiling plans for a more impactful 2026 pilgrimage programme.
Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Olanrewaju Layode, disclosed this during the Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Baguda Kaltho Press Centre, Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, where he highlighted his Ministry's accomplishments in the last one year.
Layode described the successful execution of the 2025 Holy Land Pilgrimage as one of the major highlights of the year, noting that about 400 Christian pilgrims from Lagos State travelled to Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan in two batches without any hitch under the leadership of the Board's Secretary, Dr. Gbolabo Omoniyi Okudero.
According to him, "the first batch departed Nigeria on January 31 and returned on February 10, 2026, while the second batch undertook the pilgrimage between February 11 and 21, 2026, added that each batch conveyed over 200 pilgrims who completed the spiritual exercise safely and successfully"
The commissioner stated that the pilgrimage was organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), attracting commendation from participants and stakeholders alike. The exercise was officially rounded off with a thanksgiving service held on April 9, 2026, at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja
Beyond the pilgrimage exercise, Layode said the Board intensified sensitisation and mobilisation efforts across Lagos, visiting churches and Christian organisations cutting across various denominations to encourage participation and strengthen partnerships.
He listed some of the religious bodies engaged during the period to include Anglican, Methodist and Catholic churches, Christ Apostolic Church, Celestial Church of Christ, Cherubim and Seraphim Movement, Redeemed Christian Church of God parishes, Christ Livingspring Apostolic Ministry, the Apostolic Church of Nigeria, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International and the Student Christian Movement, among others
The commissioner also disclosed that the Board sustained its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives through monthly intervention programmes targeted at vulnerable residents and support for people in need through financial contributions generated during fellowship activities.
Layode further reiterated the state government’s commitment to improving the welfare and spiritual growth of Christian pilgrims, assuring that preparations for the 2026 pilgrimage exercise would build on the successes already recorded.
Meanwhile, the commissioner also highlighted the Ministry’s regulatory role in the money lending sector, noting that the Ministry of Home Affairs continued to process applications, issue and renew licences for operators while ensuring strict compliance with regulatory standards.
He explained that the ministry regularly organises stakeholders’ forums for money lenders to expose operators to global best practices and improve professionalism within the sector.
According to him, the ministry works closely with federal agencies such as the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) to monitor operators and protect residents from fraudulent activities.
Layode revealed that 112 new applications were received from money lending operators within the 2025/2026 period under review, while 214 licences were renewed.
On naturalisation and special immigrant status applications, the commissioner disclosed that the ministry, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Interior, processed applications from foreign nationals seeking Nigerian citizenship and permanent residency.
He stated that 68 applications were received during the review period, while 20 applicants were screened and cross-examined for onward transmission to the Federal Ministry of Interior for final consideration.
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