Nigeria says it will seek stronger humanitarian cooperation, youth empowerment and economic partnerships at the upcoming meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, who is leading the Nigerian delegation, said the engagements would support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The delegation departed from the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on Tuesday for the meeting scheduled for Aug. 27, 2026.
Speaking to journalists before departure, Enikanolaiye said Nigeria’s participation was guided by the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the country’s 4-D Foreign Policy Doctrine of Demography, Development, Diaspora and Democracy.
“This is a journey of strategic partnership and purpose devoid of ideological or religious fixation. Nigeria goes to Jeddah to advance cooperation that delivers real benefits to our people,” the minister said.
“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, our focus goes beyond partisan religious orientation and persuasion. It is about bringing real benefits and development to Nigerians. Our focus remains peace and prosperity from stronger ties with the Islamic world.”
On humanitarian and security cooperation, Enikanolaiye said Nigeria would advocate the operationalisation of a Nigeria-OIC Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs to strengthen regional responses to insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.
He said the initiative would include support for interfaith dialogue, rehabilitation of displaced communities and efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism.
The minister added that Nigeria would also push for expanded OIC-supported programmes in vocational training, women’s empowerment, healthcare and cultural exchanges to equip young people with relevant skills and promote peace and unity among member states.
On economic diplomacy, he said the delegation would showcase Nigeria’s domestic economic reforms and investment opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, Business Process Outsourcing, automotive, oil and gas, and commerce.
According to him, Nigeria will engage OIC investors and institutions through Business-to-Business and Business-to-Government partnerships to attract Foreign Direct Investment and support economic diversification.
The meeting will also feature the election of a new Secretary-General of the 57-member organisation.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria would engage constructively to support the emergence of leadership committed to unity, reform and people-centred programmes across the organisation.
He noted that the OIC had implemented several programmes and projects in Nigeria without religious bias.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to multilateralism and solidarity within the OIC, describing the organisation as the second-largest intergovernmental body after the United Nations.
He said Nigeria, an active member of the OIC since 1986, had continued to play a leading role in advancing peace, development and cooperation among member states.
“Nigeria remains a committed member of the OIC. We will work with all member states to ensure our collective decisions reflect the aspirations of over 1.8 billion people and contribute to global peace and development,” he added.
Enikanolaiye is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts and OIC officials on the sidelines of the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting to advance Nigeria’s interests.
About The Author
