Nigeria and Israel have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with renewed focus on security collaboration, healthcare development, technology transfer and economic cooperation.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, restated Nigeria’s position during a courtesy visit by the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, at Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja.

The high-level meeting signals a fresh push to deepen Nigeria–Israel relations at a time when both countries are seeking stronger strategic partnerships in key sectors.

During the discussions, both parties explored areas of mutual interest, particularly in the areas of security and intelligence sharing. Nigeria continues to grapple with internal security challenges, and collaboration with technologically advanced nations like Israel is seen as critical in strengthening national security infrastructure.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized Nigeria’s interest in leveraging Israeli expertise in counterterrorism, surveillance technology and cybersecurity. Israel has built a global reputation for innovation in these areas, and officials believe such cooperation could contribute significantly to Nigeria’s security architecture.

Health cooperation also featured prominently in the talks. Both sides discussed possible partnerships in medical research, digital health systems and hospital management. Nigeria has been expanding efforts to improve healthcare delivery, and Israeli innovation in medical technology presents potential opportunities for knowledge exchange and capacity building.

Technology and innovation were equally central to the conversation. Israel is widely regarded as a global hub for startups and advanced tech solutions, particularly in agriculture, water management and artificial intelligence. Strengthening collaboration in these areas could support Nigeria’s diversification agenda and boost economic growth.

Beyond security and health, the meeting also addressed expanding trade and investment opportunities between the two countries. Nigeria remains one of Africa’s largest economies and a major investment destination in West Africa. Israeli firms have shown interest in sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy and infrastructure.

Ambassador Freeman expressed Israel’s readiness to deepen economic engagement with Nigeria, highlighting the importance of building sustainable business partnerships that benefit both nations. He noted that existing ties provide a strong foundation for further collaboration.

The Nigerian government, on its part, reiterated its commitment to creating an enabling environment for foreign investors while promoting mutually beneficial agreements.

Nigeria and Israel have maintained diplomatic relations for decades, with cooperation spanning agriculture, defense training and technical assistance. This latest engagement signals a renewed push to modernize and expand those ties in line with evolving global realities.

Observers say the strengthened Nigeria–Israel bilateral relations could open doors to new opportunities, particularly in technology-driven development and strategic security partnerships. As both countries look to position themselves more strongly within their respective regions, sustained diplomatic engagement is expected to remain a key pillar of their foreign policy objectives.