Foreign Affairs Minister of State Sola Enikanolaiye urges deeper OIC engagement on security, development and humanitarian challenges affecting Nigeria and Africa

Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation as a strategic platform for solidarity, peace and development, with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, calling for stronger practical engagement with Africa.

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Ambassador Enikanolaiye made the call 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.

The Nigeria OIC commitment comes against the backdrop of growing security and humanitarian pressures across parts of Africa, particularly the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.

Enikanolaiye said Nigeria’s participation in the organisation was informed by its Islamic heritage, religious and cultural diversity, and commitment to multilateralism, peaceful dispute resolution, international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

He also congratulated Ismaïl Ould Cheikh Ahmed on his election as the new OIC Secretary-General, while stressing the importance of competence, integrity, experience, geographical balance, rotation, consensus and equal opportunity in the organisation’s leadership.

“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,” Enikanolaiye said.

The minister also commended the outgoing Secretary-General, Hissein Brahim Taha, for his tenure and wished him well in his future endeavours.

Shortly after his election, Ould Cheikh Ahmed received the Nigerian delegation for a one-on-one meeting with Enikanolaiye, making Nigeria’s delegation the first received by the newly elected secretary-general.

Enikanolaiye conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s congratulations to the new OIC leader and pledged Nigeria’s support for his tenure.

He also called for greater visibility of OIC programmes and projects in Nigeria and advocated the appointment of more qualified Nigerians to positions within the OIC Secretariat and other offices of the organisation.

Gaza and Palestinian rights

The Nigerian delegation also reiterated the country’s support for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and an independent, sovereign state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Enikanolaiye expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for civilian protection, unhindered humanitarian assistance and an enduring cessation of hostilities.

Nigeria, he said, remained opposed to 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 said.

Beyond the Middle East, Enikanolaiye urged the OIC to devote greater attention to Africa’s development and security challenges.

He called for closer cooperation between the OIC and African Union in areas including counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance, food and energy security, trade, investment, education, youth empowerment, climate change and infrastructure.

Nigeria also proposed the establishment of a Nigeria-OIC Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs, with a particular focus on insecurity and humanitarian needs in the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel.

The minister said Nigeria wanted OIC solidarity to translate into measurable improvements in people’s lives.

He welcomed OIC-backed programmes in vocational training, women’s empowerment, healthcare, youth development and cultural cooperation, while urging a shift “from OIC solidarity to OIC-supported, measurable development outcomes” for Nigerians and other African member states.

Nigeria-Saudi and African engagement

On the sidelines of the meeting, Enikanolaiye held discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Waleed Al-Khuraiji, focusing on trade, investment, security and the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation through the OIC framework.

The minister also met Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister, Mohammed Rahman Swaray, with discussions centred on intra-African solidarity, South-South cooperation, regional security, economic integration and coordination of African positions at multilateral forums.

In another engagement, Enikanolaiye met the Chairman of the Saudi-Nigerian Business Council, Engr Sultan Bin Mahdi Al Dabbara.

Their discussions focused on expanding business-to-business partnerships and making fuller use of commercial opportunities between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

Enikanolaiye said greater unity, consensus and practical action were essential if the OIC was to retain meaningful relevance in an evolving international order.

He expressed Nigeria’s appreciation to the Saudi government and people, as well as King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for hosting the OIC Secretariat and for the hospitality extended to participating delegations.

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The meetings underline Nigeria’s effort to use its position within the OIC not only to reinforce diplomatic solidarity but also to pursue tangible cooperation in security, humanitarian affairs, economic development and human capital.