By Zainab Bakare
Nigeria is set to strengthen cooperation with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on humanitarian issues, youth empowerment and economic partnerships as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Nigerian delegation, led by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, departed from Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on Tuesday for the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting scheduled for August 27, 2026, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
According to a statement by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Digital Media and Public Diplomacy, Raphael Oni, Nigeria’s participation is anchored on the Renewed Hope Agenda and the government’s 4-D Foreign Policy Doctrine: Demography, Development, Diaspora and Democracy.
Speaking before departure, Enikanolaiye said Nigeria’s engagement was focused on securing practical benefits for Nigerians.
“This is a journey of strategic partnership and purpose devoid of ideological or religious fixation.”
He said Nigeria would advocate for the establishment of a Nigeria-OIC Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs to strengthen responses to insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.
The proposed cooperation would include interfaith dialogue, rehabilitation of displaced communities and efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism.
On youth development, Nigeria will seek expanded OIC-supported programmes in vocational training, women’s empowerment, healthcare and cultural exchanges.
The minister also said Nigeria would showcase investment opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, business process outsourcing, automotive, oil and gas, and commerce.
He said the delegation would engage OIC investors and institutions on 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 OIC Secretary-General. Nigeria, according to the minister, will support leadership committed to unity, reform and people-centred development.
Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to multilateralism and stronger cooperation among the OIC’s 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.”
The minister is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers and OIC officials on the sidelines of the meeting to advance Nigeria’s interests.
