The State of Israel has reaffirmed its growing partnership with Nigeria, disclosing that Israeli agricultural technology, seedlings, and innovation systems are already being used by Nigerian farmers as part of ongoing bilateral cooperation.
The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, made this known on Monday night in Abuja during a reception marking Israel’s 78th Independence Anniversary.
According to him, Israeli companies are already actively engaged in Nigeria, particularly in agriculture, health, education, and innovation-driven sectors, with both countries deepening collaboration in key areas of development.
“When it comes to agriculture, Israeli companies are already working in Nigeria today,” Freeman said.
He explained that Nigerian farmers are already cultivating crops using Israeli-developed seedlings and farming technologies, while emphasizing that the land and labour remain fully Nigerian.
“These vegetables were grown from Israeli seedlings using Israeli technology but grown by Nigerian farmers on Nigerian soil,” he said. “Hold that box for a moment and think about what it represents. Not vegetables, possibility.”
The envoy described the initiative as part of a broader vision for stronger cooperation between both countries, highlighting expected benefits such as improved agricultural yields, stronger rural economies, and enhanced food security.
Freeman also announced new commitments, including the launch of a fifth cohort of Israel’s entrepreneurship support programme scheduled for 2027, as well as the deployment of three fully equipped ambulances to Nigeria.
“I’m pleased to announce tonight that we are committing to a fifth cohort of the programme for 2027,” he said. “Today, I’m also pleased to announce that the first three fully equipped ambulances donated by Israel are on their way to Nigeria.”
He added that the cooperation between both nations extends beyond aid, describing it as a strategic partnership focused on long-term development in innovation, healthcare, security, agriculture, education, and skills development.
“These are investments in a shared future,” he said. “The future of Israeli-Nigerian relations will not be defined by speeches… but by entrepreneurs who build companies, farmers who produce more, doctors and paramedics, and young people who refuse to accept limitations.”
Freeman further reflected on Israel’s development journey, noting how the country transformed environmental and resource limitations into technological strength.
“For 78 years, Israel has been making miracles happen,” he said. “We turned deserts into farmland, scarcity into abundance, ideas into technologies and challenges into opportunities.”
He explained that despite limited natural resources and early national challenges, Israel invested heavily in innovation, including drip irrigation, precision agriculture, desalination technology, and advancements in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and medicine.
The ambassador added that Nigeria shares similar potential due to its population size, agricultural capacity, and youthful demographic, noting that stronger collaboration between both countries could unlock significant opportunities.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Art, Culture and Tourism, Hannatu Musawa, congratulated Israel on its Independence Anniversary and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
She said both countries share a longstanding relationship built on cooperation, cultural exchange, and economic partnership.
“Nigeria and Israel share a long-lasting relationship, founded on cooperation, economic transformation, partnership and community,” she said.
Musawa added that Nigeria is interested in expanding collaboration with Israel in areas such as culture, tourism, agriculture, innovation, and the creative economy, stressing that cultural diplomacy remains an important tool for international relations and development.