Minister expresses concern over humanitarian situation in Gaza, commend OIC election 

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has expressed concerns over worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for the protection of civilians, unhindered humanitarian assistance and an enduring cessation of hostilities. 

The minister reiterated Nigeria’s opposition forced displacement, annexation and other actions aimed at changing the demographic, territorial or legal character of the occupied Palestinian territories and Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

Ambassador Enikanolaiye stated this on Thursday, 27th August, 2026, while delivering Nigeria’s Official Statement at the 23rd Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

In a statement by the Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the minister,  Mr Richard Elesho on Thursday also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, OIC, as a strategic platform for solidarity, peace, development and the collective interests of Member States.

According to a statement, “the minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and an independent and sovereign State based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law and UN Resolutions.

“Nigeria further supports the preservation of the historical and religious character of Al-Quds and the protection of access to its holy sites,” he added.

He also urged the OIC to give greater attention to the developmental and security challenges confronting Africa, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel. He called for stronger OIC-African Union cooperation in peace and security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, food and energy security, trade, investment, education, youth empowerment, climate change and infrastructural development.

He added that Nigeria is ready to work with the incoming OIC leadership to deepen practical cooperation and support national developmental priorities. In this regard, Nigeria supports the establishment of a Nigeria-OIC Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs, focusing on insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.

The Minister commended the OIC leadership for convening the Extraordinary Session, noting that Nigeria’s participation is informed by its Islamic heritage, domestic diversity, and broader commitment to multilateralism, peaceful resolution of disputes, respect for international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

The minister who congratulated H.E. Ismaïl Ould Cheikh Ahmed on his emergence as the newly-elected Secretary-General of the OIC, stressed the need to adhere to principled criteria for the election, including competence, integrity, experience, geographical balance, rotation, consensus and equal opportunity.

“Nigeria is delighted that Member States withdrew their candidates in a spirit of solidarity and shared focus. We commit to working closely with the new Secretary-General for the success of his tenure,” the Minister said.

He also commended the outgoing Secretary-General, H.E. Hissein Brahim Taha, for a successful tenure and wished him well in future endeavours.

In a related development, Ambassador Enikanolaiye held a one-on-one meeting with the newly-elected Secretary-General, H.E. Ismaïl Ould Cheikh Ahmed and pledged Nigeria’s support for the success of his tenure and reiterated the call for greater visibility of OIC programmes and projects in Nigeria, as well as the appointment of more qualified Nigerians into the OIC Secretariat and other offices of the Organisation.

On his bilateral engagements, the minister held high-level meetings with the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Waleed Al-Khuraiji, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sierra Leone, H.E. Mohammed Rahman Swaray.

He also met with H.E. Al-Khuraiji, H.E. Mohammed Rahman Swaray, H.E. Mohammed Rahman Swaray, 

Engr. Sultan Bin Mahdi Al Dabbara and called for greater unity, consensus and practical actions to advance the collective interests of the OIC, noting that this is the only way to justify the Organisation’s continued relevance in the emerging world order.

He expressed Nigeria’s appreciation to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for their hospitality and for hosting the OIC Secretariat.