Nigeria, OIC Move to Deepen Cooperation on Humanitarian Affairs, Youth Empowerment

Nigeria and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have agreed to deepen cooperation in humanitarian affairs, youth empowerment, counter-extremism, cultural exchange and socio-economic development.

The commitment was reached on Wednesday when the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, received 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 57-member intergovernmental organisation, with both sides exploring practical measures to make their partnership more beneficial to citizens.

Ahmed proposed the establishment of a Nigeria-OIC Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs to strengthen regional coordination in responding to insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.

He said the proposed mechanism would also support interfaith dialogue and humanitarian assistance to displaced populations affected by conflict and insecurity in the region.

The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the objectives and programmes of the OIC, while calling for stronger collaboration in areas capable of delivering tangible benefits to Nigerians and citizens of other member states.

He also advocated increased cultural cooperation, including cultural festivals that would expose young people across OIC member states to their diverse heritage and encourage peace, unity and mutual understanding.

Ahmed further called for enhanced OIC-supported initiatives in vocational training, women’s empowerment and healthcare development as part of efforts to improve livelihoods and strengthen human capital.

Bakheet, on his part, commended Nigeria for its active and constructive role within the OIC, assuring that the organisation was ready to deepen its partnership with the country in areas of shared interest.

He invited Nigeria to consider hosting the next OIC Social Development Conference as well as annual cultural festivals, while encouraging stronger Nigerian representation in managerial positions within the organisation.

The two sides also underscored the importance of sustained high-level engagement and practical cooperation in advancing the interests of Nigeria, OIC member states and the wider Islamic world.

Ahmed assured the visiting OIC official that Nigeria would participate in the forthcoming OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting scheduled to hold in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on August 27, where the election of a new Secretary-General of the organisation is expected to take place.

The meeting further reaffirmed the longstanding partnership between Nigeria and the OIC and the willingness of both sides to translate their relationship into stronger development and humanitarian outcomes.