The Federal Government has intensified efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s border security by seeking technical support and expertise from Israel.
This was disclosed on Monday following a meeting between the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, in Abuja.
According to a statement by the minister’s spokesperson, Magnus Eze, Nigeria plans to deepen collaboration with Israel in key security areas, including counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, and capacity building for security personnel.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the partnership is aimed at addressing rising cross-border crimes and improving national security, noting that Nigeria stands to benefit from Israel’s experience in border management.
She reaffirmed that the administration of President Bola Tinubu prioritizes security as a foundation for national development, stressing that sustainable progress depends on a safe environment.
The minister also highlighted the recent rescue of abducted schoolchildren as a sign of ongoing efforts to combat insecurity.
Beyond security, she called for stronger collaboration between Nigerian startups and Israeli technology firms to drive innovation, as well as the use of Israeli expertise in water management and agriculture.
In his remarks, Ambassador Freeman expressed Israel’s readiness to expand cooperation with Nigeria across security, technology, agriculture, healthcare, and education.
He described Nigeria as a country with strong potential and said increased collaboration could significantly boost bilateral trade, currently estimated at about $200 million.
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