Nigeria Heads to OIC Meeting, Seeks Stronger Partnerships on Youth, Security, Investment

Nigeria is set to push for stronger cooperation with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in youth empowerment, humanitarian assistance, security and economic development at the organisation’s Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, disclosed this ahead of his departure for the meeting, 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 Nigerian delegation, led by Enikanolaiye, is expected to participate in the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting on August 27, 2026, after departing from the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on Tuesday.

Enikanolaiye 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 of 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 said.

Nigeria seeks OIC humanitarian working group

The minister said Nigeria would advocate the establishment and operationalisation of a Nigeria-OIC Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs.

According to him, the proposed mechanism would strengthen regional responses to insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.

He added that the initiative would support interfaith dialogue, rehabilitation of displaced communities and efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism.

Youth empowerment takes centre stage

Nigeria is also expected to seek expanded OIC-backed programmes targeting vocational training, women’s empowerment, healthcare and cultural exchanges.

Enikanolaiye said stronger collaboration in these areas would equip Nigerian youths with relevant skills while promoting peace, unity and cooperation among member states.

Nigeria to court OIC investors

Economic diplomacy will also feature prominently in Nigeria’s engagement at the meeting.

The minister said the Nigerian delegation would 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 is expected to engage OIC investors and institutions on Business-to-Business and Business-to-Government partnerships aimed at attracting foreign direct investment and accelerating economic diversification.

Enikanolaiye said Nigeria would leverage its membership of the OIC to build economic partnerships capable of producing tangible benefits for Nigerians.

Nigeria to engage on new OIC leadership

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, with emphasis on leadership committed to unity, reform and people-centred programmes across the 57-member organisation.

He noted that the OIC had implemented various programmes and projects in Nigeria, stressing that the initiatives 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 an active member of the OIC since 1986.

The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to multilateralism and stronger solidarity among member states, adding that he would hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers and OIC officials on the sidelines of the conference.

The engagements are expected to focus on advancing Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic and security interests.