Israeli deputy FM meets top Nigerian christian leaders in abuja

DDM News

(DDM) – Israel’s deputy foreign minister, Sharren Haskel-Harpaz, has engaged in high-level talks with prominent Nigerian Christian leaders in Abuja, focusing on strengthening bilateral and faith-based partnerships.

DDM gathered that the meeting took place at the Abuja residence of Michael Freeman, Israel’s ambassador to Nigeria, and brought together leading figures in Nigeria’s Christian community.

Among the key attendees was Daniel Okoh, president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), who represented the umbrella body of Christian denominations in the country.

Poju Oyemade, senior pastor of Covenant Nation, was also present, standing in for Wale Oke, president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).

Other notable participants included Dr Paul Enenche and his wife, Becky, the presiding pastors of Dunamis International Gospel Centre.

Bishop Faith Emmanuel Benson Idahosa II, a prominent cleric with a history of international Christian engagements, was also in attendance.

Earlier in the day, Haskel-Harpaz had held discussions with Bianca Ojukwu, Nigeria’s minister of state for foreign affairs, further underscoring Israel’s deepening diplomatic outreach in the country.

During her meeting with the church leaders, Haskel-Harpaz reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to enhancing its bilateral relations with Nigeria, particularly through collaboration in areas of mutual interest to both nations’ faith communities.

She also stressed that partnerships between Israel and Nigeria could extend beyond politics and economics, tapping into shared religious heritage and values.

According to diplomatic observers, Israel’s engagement with Nigeria’s Christian leadership could bolster cultural diplomacy and foster people-to-people ties that support broader state-to-state relations.

DDM notes that Nigeria, home to one of the world’s largest Christian populations, has long maintained diplomatic and economic ties with Israel, with exchanges often spanning agriculture, technology, and religious tourism.

The involvement of influential clerics like Enenche and Idahosa in such dialogues reflects the potential role of faith leaders in shaping international partnerships.

The meeting also comes at a time when global religious diplomacy is gaining momentum, with faith-based institutions increasingly playing a role in peacebuilding, humanitarian cooperation, and cross-cultural exchange.

Observers believe that the Abuja engagement could pave the way for joint initiatives in education, community development, and pilgrimage tourism, benefiting both nations’ citizens.

As bilateral discussions continue, DDM understands that future collaborations may include joint conferences, leadership exchanges, and humanitarian projects led by both religious and governmental institutions from Israel and Nigeria.

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