Hope, Unity, Global Embrace: How the CJC Visit Could Redefine Nigerian Judaism

[A 10-Day Journey That May Change Everything]

From November 24th to December 3rd, 2025, Jewish communities across Nigeria witnessed one of the most transformative moments in their modern Jewish history—the official ten-day working visit of Mr. Clive Lawton, CEO of the Commonwealth Jewish Council (CJC). For Nigerian Jews, long isolated at the edges of global Jewish consciousness, the visit was far more than a diplomatic tour; it represented long sought recognition and affirmation of a people who have persevered in their religious identity against the odds.

The Commonwealth Jewish Council (CJC) has, since its inception, served as a unifying platform for Jewish communities across Commonwealth nations, encouraging cooperation, advocacy, and shared responsibility at a country-to-country level.

Its core objective focuses on protecting Jewish life and building bridges, as well as applying voices. Through leadership engagement, policy dialogue, and communal exchange, the CJC connects Jewish communities across continents, therefore making sure that even smaller or emerging communities are not excluded from global Jewish conversation.

Mr. Lawton’s journey spanned six states and the Federal Capital Territory, reaching communities starting from Abuja, the nation’s capital, to the heart of Igboland, then to the Southern Regions of Nigeria, and the bustling city of Lagos. Everywhere he went, he met communities who have preserved Judaism for generations—often without global support, mainstream acknowledgment, or institutional validation.

Working closely alongside the CJC during this historic visit was the Judaism Fellowship Initiative (JFI), a Nigerian-based nonprofit organization that is committed to uniting and strengthening Jewish life state by state within the country. While the CJC builds bridges between nations, the JFI focuses on internal cohesion—connecting Nigeria’s geographically dispersed Jewish communities, facilitating unity and cooperation, Judaism development, and communal solidarity and welfare across state lines.

At the conclusion of the visit, reflections from both Mr. Lawton and JFI President Arthur Regis captured the significance of the moment. Standing alongside them was Yeremyahu Eyong, Vice President of JFI and one of the key organizers of the tour, whose tireless coordination ensured its success. Throughout the visit, the Nigerian government provided support, with state security services on standby to ensure the safety of all participants.

During one of the early public speaking events in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State in the southern part of the country, Mr. Clive Lawton made a statement that would become one of the most defining moments of the visit. Reflecting on what he had witnessed so far across several Jewish communities he has covered in his itinerary; he spoke with conviction about the future of Nigerian Jewry on the global stage. “Next year, bezrat Hashem, I will be in Israel,” he said, “and I will ask why they are not looking at the Nigerian Jewish communities—so that they can recognize them.” His words struck a deep chord, sparking a renewed sense of hope and affirmation among those in attendance.

For many Nigerian Jews, the dream of global recognition will not be merely symbolic. It represents the big change that will make the needed difference, the end of decades of resilience in the face of marginalization, misunderstanding, and invisibility. Mr. Lawton’s statement was received as a powerful signal that Nigerian Jewry, which is made up of both the Igbo and non-Igbo tribes, is no longer at the periphery of Jewish consciousness but steadily moving toward rightful inclusion within the broader Jewish world.

The significance of the visit was further echoed by Arthur Regis, the current president of the JFI, who described the moment as one of long-awaited validation. For generations, the Jews residing in Nigeria have preserved Jewish traditions, studied Torah, built synagogues, and raised families in faith—most times without institutional recognition and limited support from abroad. According to Arthur, Clive’s visit affirmed the legitimacy of their identity and made clear that their voices and choice of lived Jewish practices matter. The visit was more than just a tour; it marked the acknowledgment of a narrative that had been longing for attention.

A defining strength of the visit was its inclusive character. The CEO’s engagements extended beyond JFI-affiliated communities, reaching synagogues in Abuja and Ogidi that belong to other Jewish bodies, although they are former members, according to reports. Nonetheless, this broad outreach underscored a commitment to unity rather than organizational boundaries, reflecting the shared heritage and collective aspirations of Nigerian Jews across different regions and affiliations. While it is impossible for a single journey to encompass every community across the federation, the visit stood as a meaningful gesture toward collective recognition, setting up a new frontier.

Taken together, these moments—advocacy for global acknowledgment, affirmation of identity, and an inclusive approach to community engagement—mark Mr. Lawton’s visit as a pivotal chapter in the evolving narrative of Nigerian Jewry. It stands as a reminder that African Jewish voices are rising, being heard, and increasingly recognized as an integral part of the global Jewish story. His visit will not be the first time that he is involved in forging a path largely for Jews living on the African continent. Recently, his involvement in creating the Sub-Saharan African Jewish Alliance (SAJA) opened another chapter in the continent, enabling broader engagements and opportunities that were once hidden.

A Day-by-Day Recap of a Historic Visit

The historic visit officially began on Monday, 24th November, with Abuja playing host as the destination in the first stop. The opening moment took place at Tikvat Israel Synagogue, the venue of the just-concluded activities of Camp Sarah 2025, a third summer of Jewish learning and fun. At the synagogue in Kubwa, the community members gathered for Minchah. Men, women, and children filled the synagogue with anticipation, marking the beginning of a journey that most people felt had been long overdue. By simply praying together, a fact that carried deep meaning, they set a tone of spiritual kinship and mutual respect that would define the days ahead in the trip designed to cover four regions in the federation.

The following day, Tuesday, 25th November, focused on engagement and dialogue. Mr. Lawton met with Rabbi Israel Uzan of Chabad Abuja, where discussions centered on the realities, challenges, and aspirations of local Jews living in Nigeria. Later that evening, the delegation joined the Gihon Hebrew Congregation in Jikwoyi for Maariv. Known for its strong emphasis on Judaism observance and one of the oldest synagogues in the country, the community stood out as a testament to perseverance despite limited resources. The meeting in Gihon was electrifying with speeches from a few individuals. One of the most memorable events was the singing session, where the visitor had the opportunity to learn one of the congregation’s Hebrew song melodies. This beautiful moment of learning and sharing was a display of the vibrancy of the indigenous Jewish people, signalling curiosity about how the others would be as the trip in the North winds down.

Wednesday, 26th November, brought the delegation to Ogidi in Anambra State, a central pillar of the Igbo Jewish identity movement. The visit to the Ogidi synagogue was among the most emotionally charged moments of the tour. Welcomed with warmth and cultural honor, Mr. Lawton participated in Ma’ariv and received traditional Igbo gifts, symbolizing mutual respect and shared heritage. The evening reached a profound peak when the community entrusted their Sefer Torah to him for use, as the synagogue in Port Harcourt that would host the only Shabbat in the trip lacks a Torah scroll.

On Thursday, 27th November, the journey continued through Awka and Aba. In Awka, Mr. Lawton was formally welcomed by JFI executives and introduced to members of the press, Offeing an opportunity for Nigerian Jewry to speak directly to broader audiences. Later, at the Beit Gadol HaKnesset in Aba, the commercial center of Abia State, the Jewish community’s scale and vibrancy were evident. Worshippers overflowed the synagogue compound, reflecting both numerical strength and a deep hunger for connection and recognition. The atmosphere proved beyond doubt the reality that Nigerian Judaism is not marginal but alive and growing. It is also known that the state accounts for the second-largest Jewish population nationwide.

Friday, 28th November, began with Shacharit at Beit Chasaed Knesset in Umuejije in the outskirts of the city center. In attendance for the visit are some of the students of the Ardent Hebrew Academy, a mini-Hebrew class run in the synagogue. After the prayers and moment together, the next destination on the itinerary was one of the most consequential moments of the visit: an official engagement with the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti. The delegation—comprising the CJC CEO alongside senior JFI leadership—presented key concerns relating to religious inclusion, civic participation, and tolerance. The governor’s response marked a rare, hopeful, and significant moment of acknowledgment, signaling a new level of awareness and openness toward Jewish citizens within the state. For many, this engagement represented a turning point in the visibility of Nigerian Jewry within national discourse.

Shabbat, 29th November, was observed in Port Harcourt at Yesharim Synagogue, which also doubles as the host venue of Camp Sarah’s sister camp. The prayers, melodies, and Torah reading created an atmosphere many described as unforgettable. During Kiddush, reflections on Jewish continuity—particularly the role of women in transmitting tradition—were deeply discussed with congregants. The moment served as a reminder that Judaism survives through observance of Jewish lifestyles, passed lovingly from one generation to the next.

On Sunday, 30th November, a National Jewish Interactive Forum brought together Jews from multiple states, including Edo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Imo, and Abuja. This unprecedented gathering allowed diverse communities to meet, exchange experiences, and affirm their shared identity as one people. It was the first forum of its scale shaped under the influence of the Commonwealth Jewish Council, offering Mr. Lawton a panoramic view of the diversity, resilience, and unity within Nigerian Jewry.

Monday, 1st December, belonged to Uyo. Jewish communities across Akwa Ibom State gathered at the Jewish Central Synagogue to host the CJC delegation. Following a moving Sephardi style Arvit, the introduction got underway, and then there were some moments of discussion that lasted well into the evening. The presentation of tefillin to the community became one of the most powerful moments of the day, as the new synagogue has no single tefillin in its collection. As members stepped forward to receive and honor the gift, emotions overflowed, capturing years of longing, prayer, and devotion finally met with affirmation.

The final stop came on Tuesday, 2nd December, in Lagos at Kehillat Israel Synagogue in Bucknor. Speeches, embraces, and visible emotion filled the space as the visit ended. Without doubt, everyone was aware that a historic event had occurred, one that would be difficult to reverse. The following day, farewells were exchanged at Murtala Muhammed International Airport as Mr. Lawton made his way out of the country; his words made clear that this journey was not an endpoint but the beginning of an enduring relationship between Nigerian Jewry and the wider Jewish world.

In reflecting on the impact of the visit, JFI President Arthur Regis emphasized four lasting outcomes: Nigerian Judaism has entered global Jewish consciousness; Jewish communities across organizational lines experienced unprecedented unity; spiritual life was visibly renewed through Torah, prayer, and pride; and, for the first time, formal acknowledgment at the state level affirmed Jewish presence and belonging. Together, these outcomes mark the visit not only as historic but also as transformative.

Clive Lawton’s Final Message to Nigerian Jewry

“As my visit draws to a close, the message I leave with Nigerian Jewry is unity. Having seen your depth of commitment, faith, and perseverance across communities separated by distance, it is clear that the most important step forward is collective purpose. Nigerian Jews must stand together and speak with one voice—because unity is the foundation upon which recognition, growth, and lasting impact are built.”

In conclusion, many hold the opinion that a new chapter is beginning after the ten-day working visit of the CEO of the CJC, proving to be far more than a ceremonial tour. It became a catalyst on a three-dimensional front—spiritually, socially, and diplomatically. The journey, to an extent, strengthened the relations among Jewish communities, boosted a renewed sense of national unity, and elevated Nigerian Jewry’s visibility within broader Jewish and civic spaces. Doors long closed began to open, and conversations once dwindled now gained some real traction.

Reflecting on the experience, Arthur Regis noted that the engagements throughout the visit affirmed something deeply significant: that Nigerian Jews are no longer invisible within their nation. For many, this recognition indicated a significant turning point—one that reinforced a sense of belonging, legitimacy, and hope for sustained cooperation in the future.

Sentiment has changed, as Nigerian Jews returned to their synagogues with renewed pride and a rekindled sense of purpose. Currently, the collective understanding that they had crossed a historic threshold is the most prevalent mindset. The message was clear and undeniable: the Jewish people of Nigeria are here—and the world has finally begun to listen.

About The Author