Nigeria and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation across humanitarian aid, youth empowerment, security, and socio-economic development following high-level bilateral talks in Abuja.
The agreement was reached when the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD, received the OIC Assistant Secretary-General, Ambassador Dr. Tarig Ali Bakheet, at the ministry’s headquarters.
During the meeting, Ambassador Dunoma reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to OIC initiatives and proposed creating a Nigeria–OIC Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs.
The proposed body aims to improve regional coordination in addressing insecurity and displacement across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin while promoting interfaith dialogue.
To foster peace and regional integration among youth, the Permanent Secretary advocated for OIC-wide cultural festivals, along with expanded OIC support for local vocational training, women’s empowerment, and healthcare initiatives.
In response, Ambassador Bakheet praised Nigeria’s active leadership within the bloc and expressed the OIC’s readiness to deepen practical ties.
He formally invited Nigeria to consider hosting the upcoming OIC Social Development Conference and annual cultural festivals, while also encouraging greater Nigerian representation in managerial roles within the OIC secretariat.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Nigeria will participate in the upcoming OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting scheduled for 27 August 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where member states are expected to elect a new OIC Secretary-General.
Both delegations concluded the meeting by committing to sustained high-level engagement to advance shared regional priorities.
