The Federal Government of Nigeria and the State of Israel are indeed considering a joint commission to enhance bilateral relations, focusing on sectors like security, agriculture, health, education, and film production. The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, expressed Israel’s readiness to deepen trade relations with Nigeria and collaborate on various fronts, including technology transfers such as drip irrigation to boost food security. Additionally, there were discussions about expanding cooperation in Nollywood production, an industry that has gained significant success globally.
Nigeria also contributes notably to religious tourism in Israel, which has led to calls for granting citizenship to Nigerians who have resided in Israel for five years without a criminal record. Furthermore, there were condolences offered to Israel for the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, with hopes for de-escalation and the release of hostages.
The joint commission is seen as a potential way to assess and drive these bilateral relations forward, and both countries are eager to explore more opportunities for cooperation.
