By Uriel Ihotu
ABUJA — Nigeria is set to seek stronger partnerships with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in youth empowerment, humanitarian assistance, security and investment as the organisation’s Council of Foreign Ministers meets in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, who is leading Nigeria’s delegation, disclosed the priorities ahead of the meeting scheduled for August 27, 2026.
Enikanolaiye and the Nigerian delegation departed from the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on Tuesday, according to a statement signed by Raphael Oni, Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on Digital Media and Public Diplomacy.
The minister said Nigeria’s participation would be guided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the country’s 4-D Foreign Policy Doctrine — Demography, Development, Diaspora and Democracy.
He described the meeting as an opportunity for Nigeria to deepen strategic partnerships capable of delivering tangible benefits to citizens.
“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,” Enikanolaiye said.
Nigeria pushes humanitarian cooperation
A major priority for Nigeria will be the proposed operationalisation of a Nigeria-OIC Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs.
Enikanolaiye said the proposed mechanism would strengthen cooperation in addressing insecurity and humanitarian challenges affecting the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel region.
He said the initiative would also promote interfaith dialogue, support the rehabilitation of displaced communities and strengthen regional efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism.
Youth and women empowerment
Nigeria is also expected to seek expanded OIC-supported programmes in vocational training, women’s empowerment, healthcare and cultural exchanges.
According to the minister, greater cooperation in these areas would provide Nigerian youths with relevant skills while contributing to peace, social cohesion and stronger ties among OIC member states.
Investment opportunities in focus
Economic diplomacy will form another major part of Nigeria’s participation at the meeting.
The Nigerian delegation is expected to showcase investment opportunities arising from the Federal Government’s economic reforms, particularly in agriculture, manufacturing, business process outsourcing, automotive, oil and gas and commerce.
Nigeria will also engage OIC investors and institutions on Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) partnerships aimed at attracting foreign direct investment and supporting economic diversification.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria would leverage its OIC membership to build practical economic partnerships capable of creating opportunities for Nigerians.
Nigeria to participate in OIC leadership process
The Council of Foreign Ministers meeting is also expected to feature the election of a new Secretary-General of the OIC.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria would participate constructively in the process and support leadership focused on unity, institutional reform and people-centred programmes across the 57-member organisation.
He noted that the OIC had implemented several programmes and projects in Nigeria, stressing that such interventions had been carried out without religious bias.
“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 said.
Nigeria has been a member of the OIC since 1986.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to multilateralism and stronger cooperation among member states.
He is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers and OIC officials on the sidelines of the meeting as Nigeria seeks to advance its diplomatic, economic and security interests.
