Nigeria-Israeli Relations: “So Fragile So Emotional”

Abstract

Israel is technologically advanced and as a result of it, Nigeria after independence in 1960 had  developed ties with the State of Israel particularly in areas of agricultural and technical know how. Unfortunately, the Middle East crisis has made the relationship to be rocky at times due to  Nigerians’ religious differences. The predominantly Northern Muslims often reacted adversely  towards the Jews due to the Palestinian question while the Southern dominated Christians do not  see anything wrong with the Jewish seizure of Palestinian lands in West Bank and Gaza. The  break-up of diplomatic ties after the Yom Kipurr War of 1973 by the Oragnisation of African  Unity (OAU) was perceived by the Christians in Nigeria as an undue Muslim overreach. This  theoretically based research paper used both secondary sources, newspapers and internet  materials, to interrogate Nigeria-Israeli relations. The paper concludes that no human relations is  sustained on emotions and religious sentiments. Nigerian-Israeli relations has come of age and it  should be based on mutual beneficial opportunities for the good of both countries. On the other  hand, Nigeria stands to gain from Israeli’s military, technical and agricultural advancement if she  becomes more adroit and less emotional in her relations with Israel.