By Ammar M. Rajab The Centre for Democratic Development Research and Training (CEDDERT) has strongly condemned Nigeria’s growing...
By Ammar M. Rajab
The Centre for Democratic Development Research and Training (CEDDERT) has strongly condemned Nigeria’s growing security and diplomatic cooperation with Israel under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as a betrayal of Nigeria’s long-standing moral stance against oppression and injustice.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, the organisation expressed alarm over recent engagements between top Israeli officials and Nigerian authorities, including a Security Cooperation Agreement signed on 22 August 2025 between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, and Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Sharren Haskel-Harpaz.
The agreement reportedly covers intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism training, and military cooperation. CEDDERT noted that this development follows several high-level meetings between officials of both countries since May 2023, including initiatives announced by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to establish “innovation centres” in partnership with the Israeli government.
The centre questioned what moral or strategic convergence now binds Nigeria and Israel, insisting that the relationship contradicts Nigeria’s historic identity as a defender of religious freedom, plural coexistence, anti-colonial struggles, and justice.
CEDDERT accused Israel of longstanding human-rights abuses against Palestinians, including restrictions on Christian worship and destruction of heritage sites. It described Nigeria’s decision to deepen ties with Israel “at this historical moment” as not only a strategic miscalculation but “a profound moral failure.”
The organisation further linked the development to what it called a “triangular relationship” involving the Tinubu administration, Israel, and the United States, warning that external powers may now be exerting significant influence over Nigeria’s security and foreign-policy direction.
According to the statement, Nigeria is already grappling with religious and ethnic tensions, insurgency, and declining public confidence in state institutions. Importing foreign security doctrines, CEDDERT warned, could worsen polarisation and undermine national sovereignty.
The centre also criticised what it described as attempts by Israeli and Western political figures — including former U.S. President Donald Trump — to frame Nigeria’s security crisis as a religious war against Christians. It said such rhetoric risks inflaming sectarian tensions and could even legitimise external military intervention under the guise of protecting religious groups.
CEDDERT condemned Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, describing it as genocidal and citing high civilian casualties and humanitarian devastation. It argued that deepening cooperation with Israel therefore damages Nigeria’s moral credibility on the global stage.
The organisation urged President Tinubu to immediately reconsider and reverse the policy direction.
“Nigeria’s current global posture reflects moral retreat, compromised sovereignty, domestic vulnerability, and strategic short-sightedness,” the statement read.
CEDDERT called for Nigeria to return to its traditional position as a principled and respected voice in international affairs — particularly on issues of justice and human rights.
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