Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Nigeria - Revision history

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{{short description|'''A small expatriate Jewish community served by Chabad, Igbo Jewish congregations seeking recognition, Biafran separatist claims, Israeli drones, surveillance and satellite deals, the Barak–Epstein security push, and modest trade'''}}
'''Nigeria''' has a small Jewish community of about 850, mostly expatriates, alongside Igbo congregations that practise Judaism but are not recognised as Jewish by the Israeli rabbinate.<ref name="Uzan2026">Israel Uzan, [https://www.jns.org/opinion/rabbi-israel-uzan/deconstructing-misconceptions-about-nigeria-and-life-in-africa Deconstructing misconceptions about Nigeria and life in Africa] ''JNS'', 19 May 2026 (partisan).</ref><ref name="BBC2021">Nduka Orjinmo, [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58917825 The Nigerians who want Israel to accept them as Jews] ''BBC News'', 17 October 2021.</ref> Nigeria and "Israel" have had diplomatic relations since 1960, broken from 1973 and restored with embassies in 1993.<ref name="MFAng">Embassy of Israel in Nigeria, [https://embassies.gov.il/nigeria/en/the-embassy/bilateral-relations Bilateral relations] ''embassies.gov.il'', accessed 21 October 2026 (partisan).</ref> Israeli firms have sold Nigeria drones, patrol boats, internet and phone surveillance systems and, most recently, a communications satellite.

==Jewish community and religious life==
===History===
According to the Chabad rabbi in Abuja, Israel Uzan, the community grew "from the 1960s onward around Israelis and other Jewish entrepreneurs involved in construction, infrastructure, agriculture, security and other key sectors".<ref name="Uzan2026" /> [[Solel Boneh]] has carried out major infrastructure projects in Nigeria "for decades".<ref name="Chabad2020">Yehuda Mayteles, [https://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/4913434/jewish/Largest-City-in-Africa-Gets-Its-First-Rabbi.htm Largest City in Africa Gets Its First Rabbi] ''Chabad.org'', 16 November 2020.</ref> During the Biafran war [[Magen David Adom]] flew food and supplies to the Igbo, and "the government may even have provided arms", according to ''The Forward''.<ref name="Forward2016">''The Forward'', [https://forward.com/news/331188/meet-the-igbo-nigerias-lost-jewish-tribe/ Meet the Igbo, Nigeria's Lost Jewish Tribe] ''The Forward'', 24 January 2016.</ref>

===The community today===
Uzan puts the Jewish community, including expatriates, at about 850.<ref name="Uzan2026" /> Chabad said in 2020 that it consists mainly of business people and expatriates in Abuja, Lagos and Ibadan, and that "dozens of Israeli companies" work in the country.<ref name="Chabad2020" />

Separately, a number of Igbo Nigerians practise Judaism, for example at the Gihon Hebrew Synagogue in Jikwoyi near Abuja. Rabbi Eliezer Simcha Weisz of the Rabbinate Council of Israel told the BBC: "They claim to be one of the descendants of Gad... but they can't prove their grandparents were Jewish." He said they would have to convert before a Jewish court to be recognised.<ref name="BBC2021" /> Estimates of their numbers range:
*The Jewish Fellowship Initiative lists about 80 synagogues.
*The ethnologist Edith Bruder suggests as many as 30,000.
*Others suggest no more than 3,000.
''The Guardian'' reports that "Israel" "refuses to recognise this as a Jewish population". In August 2021 rabbis from the US and Uganda converted 96 people in Abuja, the first such ceremony in Nigeria.<ref name="Guardian2022">Samanth Subramanian, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/26/lost-jews-of-nigeria-igbo-judaism-israel The lost Jews of Nigeria] ''The Guardian'', 26 April 2022.</ref> In 1994 the Israeli Supreme Court dismissed an Igbo man's attempt to immigrate under the [[Law of Return]] without converting.<ref name="Forward2016" />

'''How far is it Zionist?''' No Zionist federation or Israeli fundraising body was found in Nigeria. The expatriate community is served by Chabad, which is a religious rather than a Zionist movement. The Igbo congregations identify with ancient Israel and seek recognition from the Israeli rabbinate. Their ties to Zionist politics come mainly through Biafran separatists (see below).

===Chabad===
:''Main article: [[Chabad Lubavitch of Nigeria]]''
Rabbi Israel and Haya Uzan established Chabad in Abuja in 2012, with a synagogue, a Jewish day school and a mikvah. In 2020 Rabbi Mendy and Mazal Sternbach opened a centre in Lagos to serve about 450 Jewish residents.<ref name="Chabad2020" /> The [[Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States]] lists no rabbi in Nigeria.<ref name="ARIS">Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States, [https://www.rabbisalliance.org/about/the-rabbis/ The Rabbis] ''rabbisalliance.org'', accessed 21 October 2026 (partisan).</ref>

==Zionist movement and advocacy==
No organised Zionist movement was found in Nigeria. The most prominent pro-"Israel" political voice is the Biafran separatist [[Nnamdi Kanu]], leader of the [[Indigenous People of Biafra]] (IPOB). He holds Nigerian and British nationality and says he is Jewish. In October 2018 he resurfaced in "Israel", more than a year after soldiers stormed his home, announcing "I'm in Israel" on Radio Biafra, and a video showed him praying at the Western Wall.<ref name="BBC2018">''BBC News'', [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-45938456 Nnamdi Kanu, Nigerian separatist leader, resurfaces in Israel] ''BBC News'', 22 October 2018.</ref> He said: "I owe my survival to the state of Israel".<ref name="JTA2018">''Jewish Telegraphic Agency'', [https://www.jta.org/2018/10/22/israel/nigerian-separatist-leader-nnamdi-kanu-resurfaces-jerusalem Nigerian separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu resurfaces in Jerusalem] ''JTA'', 22 October 2018.</ref>

==Israeli state and commercial ties==
===Diplomatic relations===
According to the Israeli embassy, relations were established in 1960, and since April 1993 "Israel" has had an embassy in Abuja and Nigeria one in Tel Aviv. The embassy also reports that the Israeli deputy foreign minister [[Sharren Haskel]] visited Nigeria in 2025.<ref name="MFAng" /> Nigeria broke formal ties in 1973 "at the urging of the Organization of African Unity". The Israeli ambassador [[Michael Freeman (diplomat)|Michael Freeman]] is also "Israel"'s permanent representative to ECOWAS.<ref name="GuardianNG2024">''News Agency of Nigeria'', [https://guardian.ng/news/israel-will-deepen-bilateral-relations-with-nigeria-envoy/ Israel will deepen bilateral relations with Nigeria – Envoy] ''The Guardian (Nigeria)'', 22 January 2024.</ref> In July 2024 the embassy addressed the Nigeria-Israel Business Forum in Abuja.<ref name="Punch2024">''Punch'', [https://punchng.com/israel-ready-for-govt-private-sector-partnerships-in-nigeria-envoy/ Israel ready for govt, private sector partnerships in Nigeria – Envoy] ''Punch'', 17 July 2024.</ref>

===Drones and patrol boats===
In 2006 the Israeli firm [[Aeronautics Defense Systems|Aeronautics]] won a $260 million contract to supply drones and unmanned patrol boats to Nigeria, including Aerostar systems worth $100 million.<ref name="Flight2006">''Flight Global'', [https://www.flightglobal.com/military-uavs/2006/05/aeronautics-to-supply-uavs-to-nigeria/ Aeronautics to supply UAVs to Nigeria] ''Flight Global'', 2 May 2006.</ref> The Aerostars were meant to watch oil installations in the Niger Delta. By 2014 they were reported grounded for lack of maintenance, limiting surveillance against [[Boko Haram]].<ref name="UASVision2014">''UAS Vision'', [https://www.uasvision.com/2014/05/26/poor-maintenance-leaves-nigerias-israeli-uas-grounded/ Poor Maintenance Grounds Nigeria's Israeli UAS] ''UAS Vision'', 26 May 2014.</ref> The [[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]] records nine Aerostars delivered in 2007 ("Part of $260 m deal") and four Israeli Shaldag patrol boats delivered in 2009–13.<ref name="SIPRI">Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, [https://armstransfers.sipri.org SIPRI Arms Transfers Database] ''SIPRI'', accessed 20 October 2026.</ref>

===Surveillance: Elbit, Circles and Cellebrite===
In April 2013 [[Elbit Systems]] announced a contract worth about $40 million "to supply a country in Africa" with its Wise Intelligence Technology (WiT) system for internet monitoring.<ref name="Elbit2013">Elbit Systems, [https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/elbit-systems-awarded-a-40-million-contract-to-supply-a-country-in-africa-with-the-wise-intelligence-technology-wittm-system-204433031.html Elbit Systems Awarded a $40 Million Contract to Supply a Country in Africa with the Wise Intelligence Technology (WiT™) System] ''PR Newswire'', 24 April 2013.</ref> In May 2013 the Nigerian House of Representatives voted to investigate a contract reportedly awarded to Elbit "to spy on millions of Nigerian internet users", and told the government to suspend it pending the inquiry.<ref name="Vanguard2013">''Vanguard'', [https://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/05/reps-to-probe-alleged-40m-internet-spying-contract/ Reps to probe alleged $40m internet spying contract] ''Vanguard'', 30 May 2013.</ref>

In 2020 the [[Citizen Lab]] identified Nigeria among the likely government customers of [[Circles]], a phone-surveillance firm affiliated with [[NSO Group]]. It traced one system to the Defence Intelligence Agency in Abuja, and cited reports that the governors of Bayelsa and Delta states had bought Circles systems to spy on political opponents.<ref name="CitizenLab2020">Bill Marczak et al., [https://citizenlab.ca/research/running-in-circles-uncovering-the-clients-of-cyberespionage-firm-circles/ Running in Circles: Uncovering the Clients of Cyberespionage Firm Circles] ''The Citizen Lab'', 1 December 2020 (critical).</ref><ref name="AJ2020">''Al Jazeera'', [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/8/nigerias-defence-agency-acquires-spy-equipment-says-report Nigerian intelligence bought tool to spy on citizens: Report] ''Al Jazeera'', 8 December 2020.</ref>

The [[Economic and Financial Crimes Commission]]'s digital forensics team uses [[Cellebrite]] phone-extraction tools.<ref name="Cellebrite2020">Cellebrite, [https://cellebrite.com/en/resources/customer-stories/uncovering-patterns-in-complex-investigations-is-no-match-for-nigerias-economic-and-financial-crimes-commission-efcc/ Uncovering Patterns In Complex Investigations Is No Match For Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)] ''Cellebrite'', 22 December 2020.</ref> In 2021 the [[Committee to Protect Journalists]] reported that Nigerian security agencies had used Cellebrite UFED to extract data from journalists' phones.<ref name="ICIR2021">''International Centre for Investigative Reporting'', [https://www.icirnigeria.org/nigerian-security-agencies-use-israeli-us-technology-for-forensic-surveillance-of-journalists-phones/ Nigerian security agencies use Israeli, US technology for forensic surveillance of journalists' phones] ''ICIR'', 14 May 2021.</ref>

===Satellites from Israel Aerospace Industries===
In August 2026 ''Calcalist'' reported that the national satellite operator NIGCOMSAT would buy the NigComSat-2A satellite from [[Israel Aerospace Industries]], for launch in 2028, and a second satellite from Thales. The two deals were estimated at about $2 billion combined.<ref name="CTech2026">Yuval Azulay, [https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hjbravopfx Israel's IAI and Thales to build Nigeria's next comm satellites in a $2 billion deal] ''CTech'', 25 August 2026.</ref> Nigeria's Federal Executive Council approved NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B that month.<ref name="ITWeb2026">''ITWeb Africa'', [https://itweb.africa/article/nigeria-approves-two-new-satellites/mYZRXv9gVb1MOgA8 Nigeria approves two new satellites] ''ITWeb Africa'', 28 August 2026.</ref>

===Trade===
The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics records Israeli imports from Nigeria of $7.1 million in 2025 (2024: $10.6 million) and exports to Nigeria of $23.0 million (2024: $27.9 million).<ref name="CBS">Central Bureau of Statistics (Israel), [https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/publications/DocLib/2026/fr_trade12_2025/td1.pdf Foreign Trade Statistics Monthly, Table D1: Trade Countries – Imports and Exports] ''CBS'', December 2025 issue (library copy) (partisan).</ref>

==Migration and aliyah==
The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics does not list Nigeria separately in its table of immigrants by country of birth.<ref name="CBSAliyah">Central Bureau of Statistics (Israel), [https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/publications/DocLib/2024/2.ShnatonPopulation/st02_55.pdf Statistical Abstract of Israel 2024, Table 2.55: Immigrants, by period of immigration, country of birth and last country of residence] ''CBS'', 2024 (partisan).</ref> Igbo Jews are not eligible under the [[Law of Return]] unless they convert.<ref name="BBC2021" /><ref name="Forward2016" />

==Political interference==
The governors' alleged use of [[Circles]] against opponents is the clearest case of Israeli technology being used in Nigerian domestic politics.<ref name="CitizenLab2020" /> [[Nnamdi Kanu|Kanu]]'s claims of Israeli and [[Mossad]] help remain his own.<ref name="JTA2018" />

===Epstein, Barak and Nigeria===
In February 2026 ''Drop Site News'' and ''Al Jazeera'' reported on hacked emails of the former Israeli prime minister [[Ehud Barak]], published by Distributed Denial of Secrets and corroborated by US Justice Department releases. According to these reports, Barak pitched Israeli "field-proven" security technology to Nigerian officials while [[Jeffrey Epstein]] advised him:
*In a 2014 email Epstein told Barak, as unrest spread elsewhere, "isn't this perfect for you".
*Barak positioned Israeli security vendors as partners to President [[Goodluck Jonathan]]'s government, using Babcock University as a foothold for the Israeli cybersecurity industry.<ref name="DropSite2026">''Drop Site News'', [https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/epstein-ehud-barak-sultan-sulayem-nigeria-ports-israel-dp-world Epstein Flipped Israel's Gaza-Tested Biometric Scanners Into Nigeria Ports Deal for UAE] ''Drop Site News'', 16 February 2026.</ref>
*In 2015 Barak invested $15 million in FST Biometrics, a company founded by the former Israeli military intelligence chief [[Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash]]. Its "Basel" biometric system had been prototyped at the Erez crossing into Gaza.
*Barak facilitated the sale of similar biometric equipment to Babcock University.
*By 2020 the World Bank had engaged the [[Israel National Cyber Directorate]] and a start-up co-founded by Barak to help shape Nigeria's cyber infrastructure.<ref name="AJ2026">''Al Jazeera'', [https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/2/18/tested-on-palestinians-epstein-israels-barak-pushed-spy-tech-in-nigeria Tested on Palestinians: Epstein, Israel's Barak pushed spy tech in Nigeria] ''Al Jazeera'', 18 February 2026.</ref>

==See also==
*[[Chabad Lubavitch of Nigeria]]
*[[Zionist Movement|Zionist movement]]
*[[Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to South Africa]]
*[[Jewish, Zionist and Israeli connections to Kenya]]

==External links==
*[https://citizenlab.ca/research/running-in-circles-uncovering-the-clients-of-cyberespionage-firm-circles/ Citizen Lab: Running in Circles (2020)]

==Notes==
<references/>

[[Category:Zionist movement|Nigeria]]
[[Category:Nigeria]]

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 ===Drones and patrol boats===
-In 2006 the Israeli firm [[Aeronautics Defense Systems|Aeronautics]] won a $260 million contract to supply drones and unmanned patrol boats to Nigeria, including Aerostar systems worth $100 million.<ref name="Flight2006">''Flight Global'', [https://www.flightglobal.com/military-uavs/2006/05/aeronautics-to-supply-uavs-to-nigeria/ Aeronautics to supply UAVs to Nigeria] ''Flight Global'', 2 May 2006.</ref> The Aerostars were meant to watch oil installations in the Niger Delta. By 2014 they were reported grounded for lack of maintenance, limiting surveillance against [[Boko Haram]].<ref name="UASVision2014">''UAS Vision'', [https://www.uasvision.com/2014/05/26/poor-maintenance-leaves-nigerias-israeli-uas-grounded/ Poor Maintenance Grounds Nigeria's Israeli UAS] ''UAS Vision'', 26 May 2014.</ref> The [[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]] records nine Aerostars delivered in 2007 ("Part of $260 m deal") and four Israeli Shaldag patrol boats delivered in 2009–13.<ref name="SIPRI">Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, [https://armstransfers.sipri.org SIPRI Arms Transfers Database] ''SIPRI'', accessed 20 October 2026.</ref>
+In 2006 the Israeli firm [[Aeronautics Group|Aeronautics]] won a $260 million contract to supply drones and unmanned patrol boats to Nigeria, including Aerostar systems worth $100 million.<ref name="Flight2006">''Flight Global'', [https://www.flightglobal.com/military-uavs/2006/05/aeronautics-to-supply-uavs-to-nigeria/ Aeronautics to supply UAVs to Nigeria] ''Flight Global'', 2 May 2006.</ref> The Aerostars were meant to watch oil installations in the Niger Delta. By 2014 they were reported grounded for lack of maintenance, limiting surveillance against [[Boko Haram]].<ref name="UASVision2014">''UAS Vision'', [https://www.uasvision.com/2014/05/26/poor-maintenance-leaves-nigerias-israeli-uas-grounded/ Poor Maintenance Grounds Nigeria's Israeli UAS] ''UAS Vision'', 26 May 2014.</ref> The [[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]] records nine Aerostars delivered in 2007 ("Part of $260 m deal") and four Israeli Shaldag patrol boats delivered in 2009–13.<ref name="SIPRI">Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, [https://armstransfers.sipri.org SIPRI Arms Transfers Database] ''SIPRI'', accessed 20 October 2026.</ref>
 ===Surveillance: Elbit, Circles and Cellebrite===
@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 In September 2002 [[Bill Clinton]] made a nine-day trip to Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Mozambique and South Africa on [[Jeffrey Epstein]]'s plane, with the actors [[Kevin Spacey]] and [[Chris Tucker]], working on HIV and AIDS prevention, democratisation and economic development. Through a spokesman Clinton later praised Epstein's "insights and generosity during the recent trip to Africa".<ref name="EpFC">Angelo Fichera and Saranac Hale Spencer, [https://www.factcheck.org/2019/08/the-epstein-connections-fueling-conspiracy-theories/ The Epstein Connections Fueling Conspiracy Theories] ''FactCheck.org'', 15 August 2019.</ref> Clinton's office sent [[Ghislaine Maxwell]] the proposed manifest for the legs, which ran from Kumasi in Ghana to Abuja and on to Kigali.<ref name="EpEFTA00578629">Email from the Office of President William J. Clinton to Ghislaine Maxwell, "Africa Trip Information", 10 September 2002, US Department of Justice Epstein files release, Data Set 9, [https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00578629.pdf EFTA00578629] ([https://tommycarstensen.com/epstein/data/documents/set9/00578/EFTA00578629.html mirror]), accessed 21 October 2026.</ref>
-In February 2026 ''Drop Site News'' and ''Al Jazeera'' reported on hacked emails of the former Israeli prime minister [[Ehud Barak]], published by Distributed Denial of Secrets and corroborated by US Justice Department releases. According to these reports, Barak pitched Israeli "field-proven" security technology to Nigerian officials while [[Jeffrey Epstein]] advised him:
+In February 2026 ''Drop Site News'' and ''Al Jazeera'' reported on hacked emails of the former Israeli prime minister [[Ehud Barak]], published by [[Distributed Denial of Secrets]] and corroborated by US Justice Department releases. According to these reports, Barak pitched Israeli "field-proven" security technology to Nigerian officials while [[Jeffrey Epstein]] advised him:
 *In a 2014 email Epstein told Barak, as unrest spread elsewhere, "isn't this perfect for you".
 *Barak positioned Israeli security vendors as partners to President [[Goodluck Jonathan]]'s government, using Babcock University as a foothold for the Israeli cybersecurity industry.<ref name="DropSite2026">''Drop Site News'', [https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/epstein-ehud-barak-sultan-sulayem-nigeria-ports-israel-dp-world Epstein Flipped Israel's Gaza-Tested Biometric Scanners Into Nigeria Ports Deal for UAE] ''Drop Site News'', 16 February 2026.</ref>
-*In 2015 Barak invested $15 million in FST Biometrics, a company founded by the former Israeli military intelligence chief [[Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash]]. Its "Basel" biometric system had been prototyped at the Erez crossing into Gaza.
+*In 2015 Barak invested $15 million in FST Biometrics, a company founded by the former Israeli military intelligence chief [[Aharon Zeevi Farkash|Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash]]. Its "Basel" biometric system had been prototyped at the Erez crossing into Gaza.
 *Barak facilitated the sale of similar biometric equipment to Babcock University.
 *By 2020 the World Bank had engaged the [[Israel National Cyber Directorate]] and a start-up co-founded by Barak to help shape Nigeria's cyber infrastructure.<ref name="AJ2026">''Al Jazeera'', [https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/2/18/tested-on-palestinians-epstein-israels-barak-pushed-spy-tech-in-nigeria Tested on Palestinians: Epstein, Israel's Barak pushed spy tech in Nigeria] ''Al Jazeera'', 18 February 2026.</ref>
-The following items come from Barak's two leaked mailboxes (ehbarak1@gmail.com and ehud.barak@hyperion-eb.com, 2007–2016). They were hacked and leaked by Handala, a group that Distributed Denial of Secrets describes as "believed to have ties to Iranian intelligence", and were published by Distributed Denial of Secrets in August 2025. The emails carry no cryptographic signatures, and Distributed Denial of Secrets warns that material from such hack-and-leak operations may have been altered.<ref name="DDoSBarak">Distributed Denial of Secrets, [https://ddosecrets.org/article/ehud-barak-emails Ehud Barak emails], 27 August 2025, with download at [https://data.ddosecrets.org/Ehud%20Barak%20emails/ data.ddosecrets.org], accessed 21 October 2026.</ref>
+The following items come from Barak's two leaked mailboxes (ehbarak1@gmail.com and ehud.barak@hyperion-eb.com, 2007–2016). They were hacked and leaked by [[Handala (hacker group)|Handala]], a group that Distributed Denial of Secrets describes as "believed to have ties to Iranian intelligence", and were published by Distributed Denial of Secrets in August 2025. The emails carry no cryptographic signatures, and Distributed Denial of Secrets warns that material from such hack-and-leak operations may have been altered.<ref name="DDoSBarak">Distributed Denial of Secrets, [https://ddosecrets.org/article/ehud-barak-emails Ehud Barak emails], 27 August 2025, with download at [https://data.ddosecrets.org/Ehud%20Barak%20emails/ data.ddosecrets.org], accessed 21 October 2026.</ref>
 *'''2013 security pitch.''' In July 2013 Tim Akano of New Horizons Nigeria, who was arranging a visit by Barak, told Barak's wife Nili Priell Barak that he saw "Two-Consultancy opportunities" for Barak with President [[Goodluck Jonathan]]: a "Nation-Wide solution on Counter Terrorism" and "Personal Protection for the President". He added that the Israeli ambassador was planning a dinner in Barak's honour for "ALL THE KEY HEADS OF THE NIGERIA SECURITY AGENCIES".<ref name="BarakNG1">Email from Tim Akano to Nili Priell Barak, forwarded to Ehud Barak, "Re: Sorry, Your Excellency, 20th is not convenient for the First Lady", 28 July 2013, file <code>ehbarak1@gmail.com/Inbox!45/1 (32).html</code>, ''Ehud Barak emails'', [https://ddosecrets.org/article/ehud-barak-emails Distributed Denial of Secrets], released 27 August 2025 (hacked and leaked by the Handala group), accessed 21 October 2026.</ref>
 *'''Ergo briefing.''' Barak commissioned the intelligence consultancy Ergo to brief him on Nigerian security. He told it: "Pl make sure sources in Nigeria DO NOT know the purpose of the questions and/or identity of end user( namely myself)".<ref name="BarakNG2">Email from Ehud Barak to Evan Pressman (Ergo), "Re: NigSec", 20 July 2013, file <code>ehbarak1@gmail.com/Inbox!45/1 (91).html</code>, ''Ehud Barak emails'', [https://ddosecrets.org/article/ehud-barak-emails Distributed Denial of Secrets], released 27 August 2025 (hacked and leaked by the Handala group), accessed 21 October 2026.</ref>

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{short description|'''A small expatriate Jewish community served by Chabad, Igbo Jewish congregations seeking recognition, Biafran separatist claims, Israeli drones, surveillance and satellite deals, the Barak–Epstein security push, and modest trade'''}}
-'''Nigeria''' has a small Jewish community of about 850, mostly expatriates, alongside Igbo congregations that practise Judaism but are not recognised as Jewish by the Israeli rabbinate.<ref name="Uzan2026">Israel Uzan, [https://www.jns.org/opinion/rabbi-israel-uzan/deconstructing-misconceptions-about-nigeria-and-life-in-africa Deconstructing misconceptions about Nigeria and life in Africa] ''JNS'', 19 May 2026 (partisan).</ref><ref name="BBC2021">Nduka Orjinmo, [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58917825 The Nigerians who want Israel to accept them as Jews] ''BBC News'', 17 October 2021.</ref> Nigeria and "Israel" have had diplomatic relations since 1960, broken from 1973 and restored with embassies in 1993.<ref name="MFAng">Embassy of Israel in Nigeria, [https://embassies.gov.il/nigeria/en/the-embassy/bilateral-relations Bilateral relations] ''embassies.gov.il'', accessed 21 October 2026 (partisan).</ref> Israeli firms have sold Nigeria drones, patrol boats, internet and phone surveillance systems and, most recently, a communications satellite.
+'''Nigeria''' has a small Jewish community of about 850, mostly expatriates, alongside Igbo congregations that practise Judaism but are not recognised as Jewish by the Israeli rabbinate.<ref name="Uzan2026">Israel Uzan, [https://www.jns.org/opinion/rabbi-israel-uzan/deconstructing-misconceptions-about-nigeria-and-life-in-africa Deconstructing misconceptions about Nigeria and life in Africa] ''JNS'', 19 May 2026 (Chabad-side).</ref><ref name="BBC2021">Nduka Orjinmo, [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58917825 The Nigerians who want Israel to accept them as Jews] ''BBC News'', 17 October 2021.</ref> Nigeria and "Israel" have had diplomatic relations since 1960, broken from 1973 and restored with embassies in 1993.<ref name="MFAng">Embassy of Israel in Nigeria, [https://embassies.gov.il/nigeria/en/the-embassy/bilateral-relations Bilateral relations] ''embassies.gov.il'', accessed 21 October 2026 (Israeli government-side).</ref> Israeli firms have sold Nigeria drones, patrol boats, internet and phone surveillance systems and, most recently, a communications satellite.
 ==Jewish community and religious life==
@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 ===Chabad===
 :''Main article: [[Chabad Lubavitch of Nigeria]]''
-Rabbi Israel and Haya Uzan established Chabad in Abuja in 2012, with a synagogue, a Jewish day school and a mikvah. In 2020 Rabbi Mendy and Mazal Sternbach opened a centre in Lagos to serve about 450 Jewish residents.<ref name="Chabad2020" /> The [[Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States]] lists no rabbi in Nigeria.<ref name="ARIS">Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States, [https://www.rabbisalliance.org/about/the-rabbis/ The Rabbis] ''rabbisalliance.org'', accessed 21 October 2026 (partisan).</ref>
+Rabbi Israel and Haya Uzan established Chabad in Abuja in 2012, with a synagogue, a Jewish day school and a mikvah. In 2020 Rabbi Mendy and Mazal Sternbach opened a centre in Lagos to serve about 450 Jewish residents.<ref name="Chabad2020" /> The [[Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States]] lists no rabbi in Nigeria.<ref name="ARIS">Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States, [https://www.rabbisalliance.org/about/the-rabbis/ The Rabbis] ''rabbisalliance.org'', accessed 21 October 2026 (Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States-side).</ref>
 ==Zionist movement and advocacy==
@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 ===Trade===
-The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics records Israeli imports from Nigeria of $7.1 million in 2025 (2024: $10.6 million) and exports to Nigeria of $23.0 million (2024: $27.9 million).<ref name="CBS">Central Bureau of Statistics (Israel), [https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/publications/DocLib/2026/fr_trade12_2025/td1.pdf Foreign Trade Statistics Monthly, Table D1: Trade Countries – Imports and Exports] ''CBS'', December 2025 issue (library copy) (partisan).</ref>
+The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics records Israeli imports from Nigeria of $7.1 million in 2025 (2024: $10.6 million) and exports to Nigeria of $23.0 million (2024: $27.9 million).<ref name="CBS">Central Bureau of Statistics (Israel), [https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/publications/DocLib/2026/fr_trade12_2025/td1.pdf Foreign Trade Statistics Monthly, Table D1: Trade Countries – Imports and Exports] ''CBS'', December 2025 issue (library copy) (Israeli government-side).</ref>
 ==Migration and aliyah==
-The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics does not list Nigeria separately in its table of immigrants by country of birth.<ref name="CBSAliyah">Central Bureau of Statistics (Israel), [https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/publications/DocLib/2024/2.ShnatonPopulation/st02_55.pdf Statistical Abstract of Israel 2024, Table 2.55: Immigrants, by period of immigration, country of birth and last country of residence] ''CBS'', 2024 (partisan).</ref> Igbo Jews are not eligible under the [[Law of Return]] unless they convert.<ref name="BBC2021" /><ref name="Forward2016" />
+The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics does not list Nigeria separately in its table of immigrants by country of birth.<ref name="CBSAliyah">Central Bureau of Statistics (Israel), [https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/publications/DocLib/2024/2.ShnatonPopulation/st02_55.pdf Statistical Abstract of Israel 2024, Table 2.55: Immigrants, by period of immigration, country of birth and last country of residence] ''CBS'', 2024 (Israeli government-side).</ref> Igbo Jews are not eligible under the [[Law of Return]] unless they convert.<ref name="BBC2021" /><ref name="Forward2016" />
 ==Political interference==