The Federal Government of Nigeria and the State of Israel are considering the formation of a joint commission aimed at deepening their bilateral relations across various sectors.
This initiative comes as Israel expressed its willingness to enhance trade and collaborate with Nigeria in areas such as security, agriculture, health, education, and film production.
Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, revealed the plans during a meeting with Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria and Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Michael Freeman, at the Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja.
“We are asking for some joint commission where we can use it to drive and assess our bilateral relations,” Ojukwu stated, emphasizing Israel’s strength in security and counter-terrorism, as well as its technological advances in food security.
She also highlighted Nigeria’s thriving Nollywood industry, hoping for more collaboration in film production. “We would like collaboration in this sector,” she added.
Ojukwu also extended condolences to Israel over the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, describing the incident as a “terrible stain on humanity.” She expressed hope that the ceasefire would lead to a de-escalation of tensions and the release of hostages.
The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, acknowledged the strong diplomatic history between the two countries and congratulated Ojukwu on her appointment.
He expressed confidence that her leadership would further strengthen the relationship.
“The volume of trade between Israel and Nigeria is $250 million, and we hope that it will improve moving forward,” Freeman said.
He outlined areas of cooperation, including agriculture, health, and education, with a focus on advanced technologies like drip irrigation for rice production.
“We can grow rice anywhere. By next week, I will display that by planting rice in our farm at the embassy,” Freeman noted, inviting Nigeria to explore this technology.
Freeman also mentioned that a film co-production agreement between the two countries is “stuck in the Nigerian system” and urged for its swift progress. “Israel/Nigeria are currently working jointly on a movie project,” he revealed.
The two sides also discussed Israel’s humanitarian stance, with Freeman asserting that Israel has no territorial ambitions in Gaza. “Israel has no territorial desire or ambition. We don’t have any plans of staying in Lebanon. We left Gaza in 2005 and have no ambition to remain there but we can’t allow Hamas to control Gaza,” Freeman affirmed.
The meeting was attended by Ambassador Innocent Iwejuo and Ms. Inbar Lipman Garden from the Israeli Embassy.
