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 federal government has said.
The Nigerian delegation to the meeting which is being led by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, is scheduled for 27th August 2026.
Speaking to journalists before their departure at the Kano airport on Tuesday, Ambassador Enikanolaiye said Nigeria’s engagement aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the 4-D Foreign Policy Doctrine: Demography, Development Disapora and Democracy, a statement by Raphael Oni, Special Assistant to the minister, said.
“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, prosperity, from 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.
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