TUE JUNE 09 2026-theGBJournal| Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said on Sunday that Nigeria is committed to deepening its longstanding relationship with Israel, highlighting decades of cooperation in agriculture, technology, education and trade.
Bianca Ojukwu made the remarks after meeting Israel’s Ambassador Michael Freeman, during an event marking the 78th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel.
She said the meeting also provided an opportunity to receive a congratulatory letter from Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar on her recent appointment.
According to Ojukwu, diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Israel date back to the late 1950s and expanded through the 1960s and early 1970s, when Israel provided technical assistance to support Nigeria’s development efforts in agriculture, healthcare, education and technology.
She noted that hundreds of Israeli experts and volunteers worked in Nigeria during that period, while many Nigerians received training in Israel in fields including farming, engineering, medicine, academia and community development.
Ojukwu also highlighted historical sporting ties, noting that Israeli national Moshe “Jerry” Beit Halevi served as Nigeria’s first football coach after independence.
The minister said economic relations between the two countries remain robust, with more than 50 Israeli companies operating in Nigeria across sectors such as construction, infrastructure, telecommunications, information technology, agriculture and water management.
She added that an estimated 5,000 Nigerian businesses and organisations either operate in Israel or maintain active commercial relationships with Israeli partners.
These include firms involved in agricultural exports, technology imports, distribution networks, religious pilgrimage services and innovation partnerships with Israeli technology hubs and incubators.
Trade and investment links between the two countries are supported by organisations including the Israeli Export and International Cooperation Institute, the Nigerian-Israeli Chamber of Commerce and the Israel-Africa Chamber of Commerce, Ojukwu said.
Her comments underscore efforts by both countries to strengthen commercial and diplomatic engagement amid growing interest in technology transfer, agricultural development and private-sector investment.
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