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A theater of the Israeli-Arab-Palestinian conflict was successfully introduced to Africa by Afro-Arab countries in the 1960s. Many African countries including Nigeria consequently severed diplomatic ties with the state of Israel during and after the 1973 Arab- Israeli war. While several scholars have tried to adduce reasons for the African capitulation to Arab/Afro-Arab blackmail, despite Israel´s friendly overtures and assistance to African states during the period, this study focus on Nigeria´s relations with Israel beginning from the 1950s up to the 1990s when Nigeria re-established diplomatic relations with the Jewish state much to the chagrin of the Arab, Afro- Arab countries, as well as anti-Israeli groups including region within Nigeria. The study reviewed the circumstances that surrounds the reversal of the Nigerian decision especially by a Muslim military ruler and the architect of Nigeria´s full membership of the Organization of Islamic Countries. The study appraised the International implication of Nigeria and Africa´s acceptance of Israel in the 1990s, highlighting the factors that could mar the new Jewish diplomatic breakthrough.

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Charles Adedeji Ogidan teaches History in the Department of History, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He is a History graduate of Lagos State University. He also holds Master of Science degree (International Relations) and Master of Philosophy (History), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife, where he is also a Ph.D candidate.

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