The Federal Government and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Saturday flagged off the construction of a N25 billion ecumenical chapel and pilgrimage centre at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, opening a new chapter for faith-based facilities within Nigeria’s public infrastructure.
The project, part of CAN’s 50th anniversary programme, is expected to provide travellers, pilgrims and airport workers with a dedicated space for prayer and reflection, while fitting into the government’s broader push to improve passenger experience at the country’s busiest airport.
At the groundbreaking ceremony in Abuja, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, among other officials and church leaders, outlined the vision and scope of the project.
The facility is expected to be completed and dedicated in October 2026, in time for CAN’s golden jubilee.
“A lot of people have challenges when they travel; people need a place where they can come and regain their calm before they enter the aeroplane,” Archbishop Okoh said.
He noted that the ecumenical chapel and pilgrims’ centre would provide a place of prayer for passengers and airport workers.
According to federal government officials, the project reflects a growing recognition that travel is not only physical, but also emotional and, for many, spiritual.
“This moment is not merely ceremonial; it represents the confluence of faith and progress,” the SGF, Akume, said, describing the centre as a sacred space for travellers and pilgrims.
Akume, who performed the groundbreaking, said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s effort to make airports more responsive to the full range of passengers’ needs.
“The estimated investment of Twenty-Five Billion Naira speaks volumes about the scale of ambition,” he added.
