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By Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, OIC, as a strategic platform for solidarity, peace, development and the collective interests of member states.
According to a statement from the Minister’s Press Office which was made available to our correspondent, Ambassador Enikanolaiye disclosed 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.
The minister commended the OIC leadership for convening the extraordinary session, stressing that Nigeria’s participation is informed by its Islamic heritage, internal diversity and a broader commitment to multilateralism, peaceful resolution of disputes, respect for international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
He stressed the need to adhere to principled criteria for election, including competence, integrity, experience, geographical balance, rotation, consensus and equal opportunity.
“Nigeria is pleased that Member States have withdrawn their nominees in a spirit of solidarity and shared care. We are committed to working closely with the new Secretary-General to make his mandate a success,” the Minister said.
He also commended the outgoing Secretary General, *HE Hissein Brahim Taha*, for the success of his mandate and wished him well in his future endeavours.
In a related development, Ambassador Enikanolaiye held a personal meeting with the newly elected Secretary General, *HE Ismaïl Ould Cheikh Ahmed*, the first delegation he received immediately after his election.
During the meeting, the Minister expressed his congratulations to him on behalf of *President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR* and the people of Nigeria.
The minister pledged Nigeria’s support for the success of his mandate and reiterated calls for greater visibility of OIC programs and projects in Nigeria, as well as the appointment of more qualified Nigerians in the OIC secretariat and other offices of the Organization.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s firm support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to an independent and sovereign state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law and United Nations resolutions.
The Minister expressed deep concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for the protection of civilians, unhindered humanitarian assistance and a lasting cessation of hostilities.
“Nigeria opposes forced displacement, annexation and other actions aimed at changing 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.
On Africa’s interests and Nigeria-OIC cooperation,
Ambassador Enikanolaiye urged the OIC to pay greater attention to the development and security challenges facing Africa, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.
He called for greater cooperation between the OIC and the African Union on peace and security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, food and energy security, trade, investment, education, youth empowerment, climate change and infrastructure development.
He said Nigeria stands ready to work with the incoming leadership of the OIC to deepen practical cooperation and support national development priorities. In this regard, Nigeria supports the establishment of a *Nigeria-OIC Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs*, focused on insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.
The minister also welcomed the increase in OIC-supported programs in vocational training, women’s empowerment, healthcare, youth development and cultural cooperation, underlining the need to move “from OIC solidarity to measurable, OIC-supported development outcomes” for Nigerian citizens and other African OIC Member States.
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