Nigeria and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have moved to deepen bilateral cooperation in humanitarian affairs, youth empowerment, cultural exchange, counter-extremism and socio-economic development, following high-level talks between officials of both sides in Abuja.
This was the outcome of a meeting between the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, and the Assistant Secretary-General of the OIC, Ambassador Dr Tarig Ali Bakheet, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting reviewed the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and the OIC, with both sides exploring areas for deeper collaboration and practical interventions.
Ambassador Dunoma proposed the establishment of a Nigeria-OIC Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs to strengthen regional coordination in addressing insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.
He said the proposed mechanism could also support interfaith dialogue and humanitarian assistance to displaced populations affected by conflict and insecurity.
The Permanent Secretary called for increased cultural cooperation, including cultural festivals that would expose young people across OIC member states to diverse cultural heritage while promoting peace, unity and mutual understanding.
He also advocated greater OIC-supported programmes in vocational training, women’s empowerment and healthcare development to deliver more tangible benefits to citizens.
In his response, Ambassador Tarig Ali Bakheet commended Nigeria’s active and constructive role within the OIC and expressed the Organisation’s readiness to deepen cooperation with the country in areas of mutual interest.
He invited Nigeria to consider hosting the next OIC Social Development Conference and annual cultural festivals.
The OIC Assistant Secretary-General also encouraged stronger representation of Nigerians in managerial positions within the Organisation.
Both sides stressed the importance of sustained high-level engagement and practical cooperation for the benefit of Nigeria, OIC member states and the wider Islamic community.
Ambassador Dunoma assured the visiting official that Nigeria would participate in the forthcoming OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting scheduled to hold in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on August 27, 2026.
He said the meeting would also feature the election of a new Secretary-General of the Organisation.
The engagement was held in a cordial atmosphere and further underscored the longstanding partnership between Nigeria and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.