Nigeria Pushes Humanitarian Cooperation, Youth Empowerment, Economic Partnerships at OIC Meeting in Jeddah

Nigeria Pushes Humanitarian Cooperation, Youth Empowerment, Economic Partnerships at OIC Meeting in Jeddah

By Gabriel Kekong

Abuja (Core Reporters)-Nigeria’s participation in the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Council (OIC) in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will bring about stronger cooperation on humanitarian issues, youth empowerment, and economic partnerships that will advance the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Nigerian delegation to the meeting is being led by the Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, which is scheduled for Wednesday,  August 27, 2026.

The delegation departed from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on Tuesday.

Speaking to journalists before departure, Ambassador Enikanolaiye stated that Nigeria’s engagement aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the 4-D Foreign Policy Doctrine: 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 of State 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, prosperity, and stronger ties with the Islamic world.”

Speaking on humanitarian and security cooperation, the Minister said Nigeria would advocate for the operationalization of a Nigeria-OIC Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs to strengthen regional response to insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the and Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel. This will include support for interfaith dialogue, rehabilitation of displaced communities, and efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism.

On youth empowerment and development, he noted that Nigeria would push for expanded OIC-supported programmes in vocational training, women’s empowerment, healthcare, and cultural exchanges. The aim, he said, is to equip Nigerian youth with skills and promote peace and unity across member states.

Regarding economic diplomacy, Ambassador Enikanolaiye stated that the delegation will showcase Nigeria’s domestic economic reforms and investment opportunities under the Renewed Hope Agenda in agriculture, manufacturing, Business Process Outsourcing, automotive, oil and gas, and commerce. He added that Nigeria will engage OIC investors and institutions on Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Government (B2G) partnerships to attract Foreign Direct Investment and drive economic diversification.

On institutional matters, the Minister said the meeting will also feature the election of a new Secretary-General of the OIC. Nigeria, he affirmed, will engage constructively to ensure that the emergence of leadership committed to unity, reform, and people-centered programmes across the 57-member organization.

He pointed out that unknown to many, the OIC has been executing many programmes and projects across the country without religious bias.

Ambassador Enikanolaiye re-affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to multilateralism and to the strengthening of solidarity within the OIC, the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations.

He noted that as an active and prominent member of the OIC since 1986, Nigeria continues to play a leading role in advancing peace, development, and cooperation among the 57-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.

The Minister of State is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts and OIC officials on the sidelines of the CFM, to advance Nigeria’s interests.