By joshua
NIGERIA RECORDS SUCCESSFUL OUTING IN JEDDAH, PUSHES FOR GREATER FOCUS ON AFRICA, PALESTINE, AND HOLDS BILATERAL TALKS
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the Organisation 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 Media Office, Ambassador Enikanolaiye stated this on Thursday, 27th August, 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, noting that Nigeria’s participation is informed by its Islamic heritage, domestic diversity, and broader commitment to multilateralism, peaceful resolution of disputes, respect for international law and the principles of the UN Charter.
*On the Election of the OIC Secretary-General*
Ambassador Enikanolaiye congratulated *H.E. Ismaïl Ould Cheikh Ahmed* on his emergence as the newly-elected Secretary-General of the OIC. He stressed the need to adhere to principled criteria for the election, 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,” the Minister said.
He also commended the outgoing Secretary-General, *H.E. Hissein Brahim Taha*, for a successful tenure and wished him well in future endeavours.
*Engagement with the New OIC Leadership*
In a related development, Ambassador Enikanolaiye held a one-on-one meeting with the newly-elected Secretary-General, *H.E. Ismaïl Ould Cheikh Ahmed*, the first delegation he received immediately after his election.
During the meeting, the Minister conveyed 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 tenure and reiterated the call for greater visibility of OIC programmes and projects in Nigeria, as well as the appointment of more qualified Nigerians into the OIC Secretariat and other offices of the Organisation.
*On Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif*
Nigeria reaffirmed its unwavering 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 UN Resolutions.
The Minister expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for the protection of civilians, unhindered humanitarian assistance and an enduring 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 give greater attention to the developmental and security challenges confronting Africa, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel. He called for stronger OIC-African Union cooperation in peace and security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, food and energy security, trade, investment, education, youth empowerment, climate change and infrastructural development.
He said Nigeria is ready to work with the incoming OIC leadership to deepen practical cooperation and support national developmental priorities. In this regard, Nigeria supports the establishment of a *Nigeria-OIC Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs*, focusing on 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, stressing the need to move “from OIC solidarity to OIC-supported, measurable development outcomes” for Nigerian citizens and other African OIC Member States.
*Bilateral Engagements on the Margins*
On the sidelines of the Session, Ambassador Enikanolaiye held high-level meetings with the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, *H.E. Waleed Al-Khuraiji*, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sierra Leone, *H.E. Mohammed Rahman Swaray*.
With H.E. Al-Khuraiji, discussions centered on deepening Nigeria-Saudi cooperation in trade, investment, security, and the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims. Both sides reaffirmed commitment to collaboration under the OIC platform.
With *H.E. Mohammed Rahman Swaray*, the Minister emphasized intra-African solidarity and South-South cooperation. Both ministers exchanged views on regional peace and security, economic integration, and coordination of African positions at multilateral forums including the OIC.
The Minister also met with *Engr. Sultan Bin Mahdi Al Dabbara*, Chairman of the Saudi-Nigerian Business Council.
They discussed the need to explore to the fullest opportunities for greater and deeper business collaboration between the two countries on the basis of B-to-B partnerships.
*Conclusion*
Ambassador Enikanolaiye called for greater unity, consensus and practical actions to advance the collective interests of the OIC, noting that this is the only way to justify the Organisation’s continued relevance in the emerging world order.
He expressed Nigeria’s appreciation to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, *King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud*, for their hospitality and for hosting the OIC Secretariat.