The Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has restated his country’s commitment to peace in the Middle East while outlining new areas of collaboration with Nigeria across agriculture, healthcare, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Freeman made this known on Monday in Abuja during the 78th Independence Day celebration of Israel, where he emphasised that Israel remains guided by its founding vision of peaceful coexistence, as first articulated by former Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion.
He noted that despite long-standing tensions in the Middle East, Israel continues to pursue stability through dialogue and international partnerships, pointing to initiatives such as the Abraham Accords as examples of what cooperation can achieve.
According to him, the goal remains a peaceful region where nations prioritize development over conflict. He, however, accused Iran and allied groups of contributing to ongoing instability in the region, calling for an end to what he described as external interference in the Middle East’s future.
“The people of Israel deserve peace. The people of Lebanon deserve peace. The people of the entire Middle East deserve peace,” Freeman said, stressing the need for cooperation over violence and progress over hostility.
Turning to Nigeria–Israel relations, he said both countries were deepening ties through practical investments that target key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, security, and skills development.
He explained that the partnership is not symbolic but focused on measurable outcomes that improve livelihoods and create opportunities. Freeman added that Israel would support a fifth cohort of its entrepreneurship programme in 2027 to empower young Nigerian business owners through mentorship and training.
In agriculture, he highlighted ongoing collaboration involving Israeli technology and seedlings being used by Nigerian farmers to boost production. He noted that vegetables served at the event were cultivated locally using Israeli inputs, describing it as a reflection of shared progress.
Freeman also announced that Israel had donated three fully equipped ambulances to Nigeria, describing the gesture as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and emergency response.
“These ambulances are more than vehicles. They represent partnership and what is possible when countries choose cooperation over division,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, congratulated Israel on its independence anniversary and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
She said both countries share common values in innovation and creativity, adding that Nigeria’s expanding creative industry presents fresh opportunities for collaboration in technology, culture, and the arts.
Musawa further noted that cultural exchange remains a key driver of international relations and expressed optimism that ties between both nations would continue to grow through innovation and people-to-people engagement.