Nigeria and Israel have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with both countries identifying security, technology, trade, agriculture and healthcare as priority areas for deeper cooperation.
The renewed commitment was made during a valedictory visit by the outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the two countries agreed to expand collaboration in critical sectors capable of promoting economic growth and improving security.
Commending Freeman for his tenure, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the ambassador had contributed to strengthening relations between Nigeria and Israel and laid a solid foundation for his successor.
“I know you are here at a critical period. Under you, everybody saw that there’s a lot of understanding. You’ve made the job so easy for your successor,” she said.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Israel in counter-terrorism, intelligence gathering, information sharing, security financing and capacity building for security personnel.
She also expressed Nigeria’s interest in leveraging Israeli expertise in border security to tackle cross-border crimes and strengthen national security.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the administration of President Bola Tinubu considers security a critical component of economic development.
“The President emphasises security everywhere he goes because you are actually going nowhere without security,” she stated.
Beyond security, the minister stressed the need for stronger partnerships between Nigerian startups and Israeli technology companies, saying greater collaboration could unlock new opportunities for innovation and economic development.
“When Nigerian ingenuity meets Israeli innovation, remarkable achievements become possible,” she said.
She added that Nigeria also hopes to leverage Israeli technology and expertise to improve water management and agricultural productivity.
Freeman reaffirmed Israel’s readiness to expand cooperation with Nigeria in innovation, agriculture, healthcare, security, education and skills development.
The outgoing envoy described Nigeria as “an amazing country” with warm and welcoming people, expressing optimism that stronger engagement would enable both countries to unlock the full potential of their bilateral relations.
Freeman also noted that annual trade between Nigeria and Israel, estimated at about $200 million, remained below its potential, expressing optimism that the two countries would significantly increase trade in the coming years.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Israel, Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu, has presented her Letters of Credence to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, formally assuming office as Nigeria’s envoy to the country.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ufochukwu pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, technology, security, innovation and cultural exchanges while advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.
The ministry expressed confidence that her appointment would further consolidate the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Israel while creating new opportunities for bilateral cooperation and sustainable development.
