…Bianca Seeks Support on Food Security, Counterterrorism, Others
The Federal Government of Nigeria and the State of Israel are considering the establishment of a joint commission to strengthen and expand their bilateral relations.
This was revealed in a statement by Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
During a meeting with Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, at the Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja, Ojukwu emphasized the importance of fostering closer ties between both nations, particularly through people-to-people engagements.
She commended Freeman for proposing a high-level dialogue in Abuja and assured him that both countries would work diligently to actualize it.
Acknowledging Israel’s expertise in security and counterterrorism, Ojukwu expressed Nigeria’s interest in leveraging Israeli technology, particularly in food security.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu is committed to improving the lives of the poorest Nigerians. The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs is working to ensure food accessibility, and we hope to learn more about Israel’s advanced drip irrigation technology,” she stated.
She highlighted rice as a staple food in Nigeria, noting that the country was open to adopting any technology that could boost production.
Ojukwu also emphasized the need for increased trade and investment, saying:
“The $250 million trade volume you mentioned is not enough. We encourage prospective investors to explore opportunities in Israel, particularly in exports. We are calling for more collaborations, and we appreciate the existing ones in security.”
She further advocated for a joint commission to facilitate and assess bilateral relations, as well as a potential agreement between both nations in Nollywood film production.
Ojukwu acknowledged Nigeria’s significant contributions to religious tourism in Israel, urging the Israeli government to grant citizenship to Nigerians who have lived in the country for five years without criminal records.
She also extended condolences to Israel over the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, describing the incident as a tragic blow to humanity.
“When the October 7 attacks happened, it was traumatic for many. It was an unimaginable tragedy in the 21st century,” she said.
She expressed hope for de-escalation of tensions and the release of remaining hostages, while also stressing the need to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
In response, Ambassador Freeman highlighted Israel and Nigeria’s long-standing diplomatic history and reiterated Israel’s commitment to deepening collaboration in key areas such as security, agriculture, health, education, and film production.
He congratulated Ojukwu on her appointment and expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral relations under her leadership.
Freeman disclosed that Nigeria-Israel trade had reached $250 million before the Hamas conflict, expressing confidence that it would grow further.
“We see a strong opportunity for deepening ties in agriculture, water management, education, and health,” he said.
He also showcased Israel’s expertise in rice production using drip irrigation technology, promising to demonstrate the method at the Israeli embassy’s farm in Nigeria.
Additionally, he mentioned ongoing projects in healthcare, entrepreneurship, and education, including the i-FAIR initiative, which has trained 2,000 Nigerians in business innovation, with plans to expand.
Freeman also revealed that a film co-production agreement between Nigeria and Israel had been stalled in the Nigerian system for over a year and urged for its resolution.
Regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, he clarified that Israel had no territorial ambitions in Gaza, stating:
“Israel has no plans to remain in Gaza or Lebanon. We left Gaza in 2005 and have no intention of staying. However, we cannot allow Hamas to control the region.”
Freeman concluded by reaffirming Israel’s willingness to engage in a high-level, practical dialogue with Nigeria to strengthen their partnership.
