Sahel Crisis: Nigeria Moves to Establish Humanitarian Working Group with OIC

By Iyojo Ameh

Nigeria is pushing for the establishment of a Nigeria–Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs to strengthen regional efforts to address insecurity, displacement and humanitarian challenges in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.

The proposal was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, during a meeting with the Assistant Secretary-General of the OIC, Ambassador Dr.

The meeting focused on strengthening the longstanding partnership between Nigeria and the OIC, with discussions covering humanitarian affairs, youth empowerment, counter-extremism, cultural exchange, capacity building and socio-economic development.

Ahmed reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the objectives and programmes of the OIC, stressing the need to translate the longstanding relationship into practical initiatives capable of addressing pressing challenges confronting communities across the region.

He said the proposed humanitarian working group would promote greater regional coordination in responding to insecurity and humanitarian crises in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.

The initiative, he added, could also facilitate interfaith dialogue and strengthen assistance to populations displaced by conflict and insecurity.

Nigeria seeks expanded OIC support

The Permanent Secretary called for expanded OIC-supported programmes in vocational training, women’s empowerment and healthcare development, saying greater attention should be given to initiatives capable of producing tangible benefits for citizens.

He also advocated stronger cultural cooperation among OIC member states, including the organisation of cultural festivals aimed at exposing young people to the diverse cultural heritage of member countries.

According to him, such initiatives would promote peace, unity, mutual understanding and stronger people-to-people relations.

Ahmed said cultural exchange could serve as an important tool for strengthening relations and fostering peaceful coexistence among young people across the OIC community.

OIC commends Nigeria

Bakheet commended Nigeria for its 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 Nigerian representation in managerial positions within the organisation.

He said increased Nigerian participation would further strengthen the country’s contribution to the activities and objectives of the OIC.

Nigeria confirms participation in OIC ministerial meeting

Both sides agreed on the importance of sustained high-level engagement and practical cooperation for the benefit of Nigeria, OIC member states and the wider Islamic world.

Ahmed also assured the visiting OIC official that Nigeria would participate in the forthcoming OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting scheduled for August 27, 2026, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The meeting is expected to feature the election of a new Secretary-General of the organisation.

The discussions in Abuja were held in a cordial atmosphere and reaffirmed the longstanding partnership between Nigeria and the OIC.