By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as a strategic platform for promoting solidarity, peace, development and the collective interests of member states.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, stated this 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.
Enikanolaiye said Nigeria’s participation in the OIC was informed by the country’s Islamic heritage, domestic diversity and commitment to multilateralism, peaceful resolution of disputes, respect for international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
He commended the OIC leadership for convening the extraordinary session and congratulated Ismaïl Ould Cheikh Ahmed on his election as the new Secretary-General of the organization.
The minister stressed the importance of adhering to principled criteria in the election of the Secretary-General, including competence, integrity, experience, geographical balance, rotation, consensus and equal opportunity.
“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.
Enikanolaiye also commended the outgoing Secretary-General, Hissein Brahim Taha, for his tenure and wished him well in his future endeavours.
Nigeria Seeks Greater OIC Presence
In a related development, the Minister of State held a bilateral meeting with the newly elected OIC Secretary-General, who received him as the first delegation immediately after his election.
Enikanolaiye conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s congratulations to the new Secretary-General and pledged Nigeria’s support for the success of his tenure.
He also called for greater visibility of OIC programmes and projects in Nigeria, as well as the appointment of more qualified Nigerians to the OIC Secretariat and other positions within the organization.
Nigeria Reaffirms Support for Palestine
The minister reiterated Nigeria’s support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people 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.
He 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, he said, opposed forced displacement, annexation and other measures aimed at altering the demographic, territorial or legal character 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 added.
OIC Urged to Pay Greater Attention to Africa
Enikanolaiye urged the OIC to devote greater attention to the developmental and security challenges facing Africa, particularly the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.
He called for stronger cooperation between the OIC and the African Union in areas including peace and security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, food and energy security, trade, investment, education, youth empowerment, climate change and infrastructure development.
The minister said Nigeria was prepared to work with the incoming OIC leadership to deepen practical cooperation and support the country’s development priorities.
He disclosed that Nigeria supports the establishment of a Nigeria-OIC Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs to address insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.
The minister also welcomed increased OIC-supported programmes in vocational training, women empowerment, healthcare, youth development and cultural cooperation.
He stressed the need to move “from OIC solidarity to OIC-supported, measurable development outcomes” for Nigerians and citizens of other African OIC member states.
Nigeria, Saudi Arabia Deepen Cooperation
On the sidelines of the session, Enikanolaiye held high-level meetings with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Waleed Al-Khuraiji, and Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Rahman Swaray.
During his meeting with Al-Khuraiji, discussions focused on strengthening Nigeria-Saudi Arabia cooperation in trade, investment, security and the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.
Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to greater collaboration under the OIC framework.
At his meeting with Swaray, Enikanolaiye emphasised intra-African solidarity and South-South cooperation, while the two ministers exchanged views on regional peace and security, economic integration and the coordination of African positions at multilateral platforms, including the OIC.
The minister also met with the Chairman of the Saudi-Nigerian Business Council, Engr. Sultan Bin Mahdi Al Dabbara, where they explored opportunities for deeper business collaboration between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia through business-to-business partnerships.
Enikanolaiye called for greater unity, consensus and practical action among OIC member states, saying such measures were necessary to sustain the organisation’s relevance in the emerging global order.
He expressed Nigeria’s appreciation to the government and people of Saudi Arabia and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for their hospitality and for hosting the OIC Secretariat.
