Nigeria Calls for Diplomatic Solutions and Global Cooperation at OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Istanbul
The Federal Republic of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to peace, security, and development across the Muslim world, as Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed the 51st Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers held in Istanbul, Republic of Turkiye.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian delegation, Ambassador Ahmed praised the government and people of Turkiye for their warm hospitality and commended Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan for his leadership as the new Chair of the session. Themed “The OIC in a Transforming World,” the meeting addressed global crises including terrorism, conflict, climate change, and humanitarian emergencies affecting member states.
Ambassador Ahmed emphasized the urgency of collective action, urging OIC member states to work together in confronting the challenges of insecurity, terrorism, and development setbacks. He highlighted the need for inclusive growth, particularly in conflict-prone regions like the Sahel and the Middle East, noting that communities must be protected from the ravages of war, and every individual—especially women and children—must be given access to quality education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.
On global conflict hotspots, Nigeria expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence in Sudan, labeling the humanitarian toll as “unacceptable” and calling on the warring factions to embrace dialogue. The country also urged a diplomatic de-escalation of tensions involving Iran and the United States, emphasizing the importance of negotiation and diplomacy in preserving regional and global peace.
The situation in Palestine was a major focus of Nigeria’s remarks. Reaffirming President Tinubu’s position at the 2024 Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit in Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Ahmed condemned the continuous aggression in Gaza, calling for immediate and sustained efforts toward a peaceful resolution. “No political motive, military strategy, or security consideration justifies the loss of innocent lives,” he said.
He further underscored that humanitarian aid must be treated as a basic human right, not a privilege, stressing the need to protect humanitarian workers in Gaza and ensure unhindered access to lifesaving assistance.
Nigeria congratulated the newly elected Vice Chairs of the session—Palestine, Mauritania, and Côte d’Ivoire—as well as Cameroon, serving as Rapporteur. The ambassador reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with all OIC member states in promoting peace, defending human rights, and upholding the sovereignty of nations.
The 51st session concluded with a unified call for strengthened multilateral cooperation, underlining the OIC’s role as a central platform for Muslim nations to confront today’s global challenges with solidarity, diplomacy, and shared purpose.
