Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has reaffirmed the strong relationship between Nigeria and Israel following a constructive engagement with the Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, during activities marking the 78th Anniversary of the Independence of the State of Israel on June 8.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the minister to receive a letter of congratulations on his assumption of office from Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar.
Speaking after the engagement, Tuggar described the meeting as an important step in strengthening the longstanding partnership between both countries.
“I had a constructive engagement with the Ambassador of Israel, His Excellency Michael Freeman, who is hosting today’s commemoration of the 78th Anniversary of the Independence of the State of Israel. It was also an opportunity to receive a letter of congratulations on my assumption of office as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from the Israeli Foreign Minister, His Excellency Gideon Sa’ar,” he said.
The minister highlighted the deep historical ties between Nigeria and Israel, noting that cooperation between the two countries dates back to the late 1950s and continued through the 1960s and early 1970s.
“Nigeria’s relations with Israel date to the late 1950s through the 1960s and early 1970s. Israel was a strategic partner in Nigeria’s development journey, sending hundreds of experts and volunteers to support the modernization of agriculture, education, medicine and technology training,” Tuggar stated.
He recalled that Israel’s Moshe “Jerry” Beit Halevi served as Nigeria’s first football coach after independence, while many Nigerians benefited from training opportunities in Israel.
“Hundreds of Nigerian farmers, educators, academics, students, doctors, engineers and community workers were trained in Israel, helping to build capacity across critical sectors of our economy and society,” he added.
Tuggar also underscored the growing economic relationship between the two nations, pointing to the increasing number of businesses operating across both countries.
“Today, more than 50 Israeli companies operate in Nigeria in the areas of construction, infrastructure, high technology, communications, information technology, agriculture and water management. At the same time, it is estimated that close to 5,000 Nigerian businesses and organisations conduct active business with Israel.”
According to him, Nigerian enterprises engaged with Israel span agricultural exports, technology partnerships, religious pilgrimage services and innovation-driven collaborations.
“These cross-border partnerships reflect the strength of our economic ties and the enormous opportunities that exist for greater cooperation in trade, technology, innovation and investment,” he said.
The minister noted that trade and commercial relations between both countries continue to be promoted through institutions such as the Israeli Export and International Cooperation Institute, the Nigerian-Israeli Chamber of Commerce and the Israel-Africa Chamber of Commerce.
“Nigeria remains committed to deepening mutually beneficial relations with Israel in areas that promote economic growth, innovation, knowledge exchange and shared prosperity for our peoples,” Tuggar said.