Nigeria has challenged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to expand its focus beyond diplomatic solidarity and take more practical steps towards addressing Africa’s worsening security and development challenges.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the call on Thursday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, while presenting Nigeria’s statement at the 23rd Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers.

Enikanolaiye specifically urged the organisation to pay greater attention to the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel, where insecurity, terrorism, humanitarian crises and economic hardship continue to undermine development.

He called for stronger collaboration between the OIC and the African Union (AU) in tackling peace and security challenges, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, food and energy security, trade, investment, education, youth empowerment, climate change and infrastructure development.

The minister said Nigeria was ready to work with the incoming OIC leadership to translate the organisation’s commitment to member states into measurable development outcomes.

He disclosed that Nigeria supports the establishment of a Nigeria-OIC Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs, which would focus particularly on insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.

Enikanolaiye also welcomed OIC-supported interventions in vocational training, women empowerment, healthcare, youth development and cultural cooperation, but stressed the need for greater impact at the grassroots.

He said the organisation must move “from OIC solidarity to OIC-supported, measurable development outcomes” for Nigerians and citizens of other African member states.

The minister’s intervention came as Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to the OIC as a strategic platform for promoting peace, development, solidarity and the collective interests of member states.

He also congratulated the newly elected OIC Secretary-General, Ismaïl Ould Cheikh Ahmed, and pledged Nigeria’s support for his tenure.

According to the minister, Nigeria expects the new leadership to strengthen the visibility of OIC programmes in the country while creating greater opportunities for qualified Nigerians within the organisation’s Secretariat and other institutions.

On the Palestinian crisis, Enikanolaiye reiterated Nigeria’s support for the right of Palestinians to self-determination and an independent and sovereign state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He 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.

The minister also held bilateral meetings with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Waleed Al-Khuraiji, and Sierra Leone’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mohammed Rahman Swaray.

His meeting with Al-Khuraiji focused on strengthening Nigeria-Saudi cooperation in trade, investment, security and the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims, while discussions with Swaray centred on African solidarity, regional security, economic integration and coordination at multilateral forums.

Enikanolaiye also met the Chairman of the Saudi-Nigerian Business Council, Engr. Sultan Bin Mahdi Al Dabbara, to explore opportunities for deeper business-to-business partnerships between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

He called for greater unity, consensus and practical action among OIC member states, saying these were necessary to sustain the organisation’s relevance in the emerging global order.

Please follow and like us: