Nigeria and OIC Discuss Humanitarian Cooperation Initiatives

On 12 August 2026, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD, the Permanent Secretary of Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, received Ambassador Dr. Tarig Ali Bakheet, the Assistant Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja. The meeting focused on the longstanding relations between Nigeria and the OIC, emphasizing cooperation in humanitarian affairs, youth empowerment, countering extremism, cultural exchange, capacity building, and socio-economic development.

Ambassador Dunoma proposed establishing a Nigeria-OIC Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs to address insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin and to promote interfaith dialogue. He also advocated for cultural cooperation through festivals to enhance mutual understanding among youth in OIC member states.

Ambassador Dr. Tarig commended Nigeria's role in the OIC and invited Nigeria to host the next OIC Social Development Conference. Both parties agreed on the importance of sustained engagement and cooperation.

Nigeria will participate in the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Jeddah on 27 August 2026.