ABSTRACT
The work examines the economic relations of Israel and Nigeria from 1992 to 2010. In order to ensure an in-depth comprehension of this relationship, in this study, Nigeria’s foreign policy towards Israel relating to foreign investment, bilateral trade, foreign Aid and diplomatic interactions, were reviewed.
Undoubtedly, Nigeria’s foreign policy towards Israel was seldom subjected to referendum or public hearing to arrive at a peoples’ oriented resolution and adoption of the most domestically viable policy; rather,
it was predominantly influenced by the diametrically opposed interests among the foreign policy elites along the lines of ethno-political
cum religious solidarity.
This approach undermined to a large extent the political relations in existence between the two countries and its consequent rupture of diplomatic ties in 1992, while in the face of severance of ties economic cooperation prevailed.
To this effect, this work is set to ascertain the to which Israeli-Nigeria economic has increased the inflow of economic from Israel to Nigeria and also empirically examine whether the bilateral economic relation has led to increase in foreign aid from Israel to Nigeria.
The researcher applied the political economy approach in the study. This is believed to be suitable as it explores the interplay between and politics in social existence. In the course of study, we made use of both primary and secondary data, qualitative and quantitative data.
We relied heavily but not exclusively on the technique of “content analysis” to evaluate the data generated in the course of this research.
In the course of analysing available data, it was ascertained that there was remarkable increase of economic activities resulting from Israel- Nigeria economic relations, and that Israel’s travails in Nigeria was rooted in the preponderance of Muslim population, and key positions in government.
To this effect, it was not difficult to influence the position of Nigeria in the conflict between Israel and the Arab in the favour of the later in expression of some sort of solidarity, be it political, religious or sentimental.
Furthermore, the study argues that Israel’s decision to foster strong links with the countries of Africa, particularly Nigeria, was guided by several fundamental considerations, and by far the most prominent, is political and diplomacy.
On the part of Nigeria, the relation is propelled by economic interest as well as ethno-religious sentiments. Besides, Nigeria Israeli economic cooperation centers more on the agro-industrial sector.
Relying on available data, the work argues that in spite of the deficits in the balance of trade (1992-2010) on the side of Nigeria, the bilateral relations improved and strengthened the economy of Nigeria.
The researcher recommends that if the benefits of the bilateral relations must be sustained, Nigeria’s foreign policy elites must divorce sentiments from the objective analysis of the country’s foreign policy and relations towards Israel.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover Page= = = = = = = = = = = i
Title Page= = = = = = = = = = = ii
Approval Page = = = = = = = = = iii
Dedication = = = = = = = = = = iv
Acknowledgement = = = = = = = = = v
Abstract = = = = = = = = = vi
List of Tables = = = = = = = = = vii
Table of Contents = = = = = = = = = viii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study = = = = = = = 1
1.2 Statement of the problem = = = = = = = 6
1.3 Objectives of the Study = = = = = = = 8
1.4 Significance of the Study = = = = = = = 8
1.7 Hypotheses = = = = = = = 9
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Literature Review = = = = = = = 11
2.2 Theoretical Framework = = = = = = = 33
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY OF RESEARCH
3.1 Method of data collection = = = = = = = 36
3.2 Research Design = = = = = = = = 37
3.3 Method of Data Analysis = = = = = = = 41
3.4 Logical Data Framework = = = = = = = 42
CHAPTER FOUR: NIGERIA-ISRAELI ECONOMIC RELATIONS AND INCREASE OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT FROM ISRAEL TO NIGERIA
4.1 Foreign Investment = = = = = = = = 44
4.2 Bilateral Trade = = = = = = = = 49
CHAPTER FIVE: NIGERIA-ISRAELI ECONOMIC RELATIONS AND INCREASE OF FOREIGN AID FROM ISRAEL TO NIGERIA.
5.1 Foreign Aid = = = = = = = = = 62
5.2 Diplomatic Relation= = = = = = = = 71
CHAPTER SIX: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 Summary = = = = = = = = = 80
6.2 Conclusion = = = = = = = = = 81
6.3 Recommendations = = = = = = = = 82
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
Israel and Nigeria share a history of close economic and commercial ties, which have proven throughout the years to be solid and to prevail over political crises, (Anyanwu, 1997:64). Both countries’ ties date from the late 1950s, since the early days of Nigeria’s pre-independence period.
Important contacts were established between the two country’s officials through their joint participation in meetings of the labor and socialist movements, (Ojo, 1986: 436).
This contact was further strengthened by the Israeli government through encouragement given to Nigerians to visit the state of Israel in the bid to actively cultivate the friendship of the newly emergent “third world” state, (Curtis and Gitelson, 1976).
After Nigeria’s independence in 1960, full diplomatic relations were established between the two countries, (Olusanya & Akindele, 1986: 96).
These ties were an expression of the affinity with Israel, itself a young state that had achieved independence in 1948 and was eager to share its experience and expertise with the newl
y independent African states, (Neuberger, 2009:13).
In the 50’s and beginning of the 60’s when most African countries gained their independence, Israel was in the forefront of giving aid to them. This soon changed as the Nigerian government began to formalize trade relations with Israel.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Adeniran. T. (1980) introduction to international Relations Lagos: Macmillan Nigeria Publishers LTD.
Ajayi, O. (1990), The Trapped Economy. Ibadan: Heinemann
Ajibola, W.A. (1978) Foreign Policy and Public Opinion. Ibadan: University Press.
Ake, C. (1981), A political Economy of Africa. Nigeria: Longman Nigeria Plc.
Aluko, O. (1976): Foreign Policies of African States. London: Holder Stoughton.
Aluko, O. (1981), Essays in Nigerian Foreign Policy. London: Allen and Uwin.
Amir, S. (2002), Israeli Cooperation in the Development of Foreign Countries. In: Yegar, G, and Oded.
Jerusalem: Ministry for Foreign Affairs:
Anyanwu, J. et al (1997), The Structure of Nigerian Economy. Onitsha: Joance Educational Publishers Lt
StudentsandScholarship Team
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