Nigeria has called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to give greater attention to Africa’s security and development challenges, particularly the crises affecting the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the call on Thursday, August 27, 2026, while delivering Nigeria’s official statement at the 23rd Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, according to a statement issued by his Special Assistant, Media and Strategic Communication, Elesho Richard.
Enikanolaiye urged the OIC to strengthen cooperation with the African Union on peace and security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, food and energy security, trade, investment, education, youth empowerment, climate change and infrastructure.
He said Nigeria was prepared to work with the incoming OIC leadership to turn the organisation’s solidarity into practical programmes capable of addressing development and humanitarian challenges in Nigeria and other African member states.
“We need to move from OIC solidarity to OIC-supported, measurable development outcomes for Nigerian citizens and other African OIC Member States,” the minister said.
Nigeria also proposed the establishment of a Nigeria-OIC Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs, with a focus on insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.
Nigeria backs new OIC leadership
The Nigerian delegation also congratulated Ismaïl Ould Cheikh Ahmed on his election as the new Secretary-General of the OIC.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria was pleased that member states withdrew their candidates in the interest of solidarity and consensus.
“Nigeria is delighted that Member States withdrew their candidates in a spirit of solidarity and shared focus. We commit to working closely with the new Secretary-General for the success of his tenure,” he said.
The minister also commended the outgoing Secretary-General, Hissein Brahim Taha, for his tenure and wished him well in his future endeavours.
Following the election, Enikanolaiye held a one-on-one meeting with Ould Cheikh Ahmed, who received the Nigerian delegation as his first delegation immediately after his election.
The minister conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s congratulations to the new Secretary-General and pledged Nigeria’s support for his tenure.
He also called for greater visibility of OIC programmes and projects in Nigeria and advocated the appointment of more qualified Nigerians to positions within the OIC Secretariat and other offices of the organisation.
Nigeria renews support for Palestine
Enikanolaiye also reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and an independent and sovereign state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law and United Nations resolutions.
The minister expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for the protection of civilians, unhindered humanitarian assistance and an enduring cessation of hostilities.
Nigeria also opposed forced displacement, annexation and other measures aimed at altering the demographic, territorial or legal status of the occupied Palestinian territories and Al-Quds Al-Sharif.
“Nigeria further supports the preservation of the historical and religious character of Al-Quds and the protection of access to its holy sites,” he said.
Nigeria deepens Saudi, Sierra Leone engagements
On the sidelines of the OIC meeting, Enikanolaiye held talks with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Waleed Al-Khuraiji, focusing on trade, investment, security and the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation, including through the OIC platform.
The Nigerian minister also met Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister, Mohammed Rahman Swaray, where they discussed intra-African solidarity, South-South cooperation, regional peace and security and economic integration.
The two ministers also exchanged views on coordinating African positions at multilateral platforms, including the OIC.
Enikanolaiye further met the Chairman of the Saudi-Nigerian Business Council, Engr. Sultan Bin Mahdi Al Dabbara, to discuss opportunities for expanding business-to-business cooperation between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
The minister said Nigeria remained committed to the OIC as a strategic platform for promoting solidarity, peace, development and the collective interests of member states.
He called for greater unity, consensus and practical action within the organisation, arguing that such an approach was necessary to maintain its relevance in the emerging global order.
