The abstention of Nigeria on Dec. 31 at the UN Security Council vote over the Palestinian statehood resolution sheds a new light on Israeli-Nigerian ties. Indeed, the two countries foster a strong relationship, but in certain aspects this relationship is still relatively young and quite surprising.

Back in the 1960s, Israel adopted a proactive African policy, trying to win over the diplomatic support of countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya and Ivory Coast. Israel was also active in Nigeria, where it began programs in the fields of agriculture, health, technology and water systems. But at that time, Nigeria was not considered by Jerusalem as a key African player. The 1973 Yom Kippur War provoked a rupture in Israeli-African relations, including Nigeria. Ties with Nigeria were renewed only in 1992, on the eve of the 1993 Oslo Accord.

On the trade front, Israel's perception of Africa at large, Nigeria in particular, has changed over the past decade, with the accent less on assistance programs and more on multilateral cooperation projects, with the participation of Israeli companies, in an attempt to boost Israeli trade and technologies.

From the political perspective, and with diplomatic isolation growing steadily, Israeli diplomacy rediscovers Africa. But this time around, the analysis of the African political forces is different, and relations with Nigeria are certainly at the forefront of Israeli diplomatic efforts.