Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, has called for the full take off of the Nigeria–Israel Joint Commission to deepen cooperation between both countries. She made the appeal while hosting the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, at Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja.
According to a statement by her media aide, Dr Magnus Eze, their talks covered defence and intelligence, economic ties, consular matters, religious tourism and wider bilateral and multilateral issues. Odumegwu Ojukwu said Nigeria has much to learn from Israel’s experience in border security management, especially in the fight against insurgency and terrorism. She noted that such collaboration would be easier to drive once the joint commission is operational.
The minister also commended Israel for its plan to donate about 50 to 60 fully equipped ambulances to Nigeria, starting with an initial batch of three or four. She described the initiative as a crucial step toward building an “ambulance culture” and improving the country’s capacity for emergency response, where first responders are often in short supply.
Ambassador Freeman said Israel is keen to strengthen bilateral relations with Nigeria, describing the partnership as strategic because of Nigeria’s size and influence in Africa. He said the relationship will be further deepened through regular dialogue, high level visits and practical cooperation across key sectors.
Freeman confirmed that Israel is already working with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health on the ambulance donation and will also arrange training for personnel who will operate the vehicles. He added that Israeli agricultural technology will be shared to support Nigeria’s food security efforts.
The meeting built on an earlier political dialogue held in Abuja on August 11, 2025, between Odumegwu Ojukwu and Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Miriam Haskel Harpaz. In their joint communique at the time, both countries agreed that security and terrorism are global challenges that require closer cooperation in counter terrorism, intelligence sharing, tracking terror financing and security training.
They also pledged stronger collaboration at the multilateral level and expressed mutual interest in working together on technology, innovation for border management, capacity building, culture, tourism, agriculture, consular and immigration matters. Both sides endorsed exchange study tours and committed to maintaining constant dialogue to drive a more robust, long term partnership.
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