Nigeria, Israel deepen security, technology, trade partnership
Nigeria and Israel have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation in security, defence, agriculture, technology, healthcare and trade, with both countries pledging to deepen collaboration across strategic sectors.
The renewed commitment was made during the valedictory visit of the outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in Abuja.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu praised the ambassador for strengthening relations between Nigeria and Israel during his tenure, while reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to expanding cooperation in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, border security, security financing and capacity building.
She also underscored the need for greater collaboration in technology and agriculture, calling for stronger partnerships between Nigerian startups and Israeli technology firms, as well as greater use of Israeli expertise in water management and agricultural productivity.
Freeman described Nigeria as “an amazing country” with “warm and welcoming people,” saying continued engagement between the two nations was vital to unlocking the full potential of their relationship.
The envoy reaffirmed Israel’s readiness to support Nigeria in innovation, agriculture, healthcare, education, skills development and security.
Expressing optimism about the future of economic relations, Freeman said bilateral trade, currently valued at about $200 million annually, had significant room for growth.
“Sustained engagement remains essential to unlocking the full potential of the relationship between both nations,” he said.
