NIGERIA has proposed the establishment of a joint humanitarian working group with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) 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 OIC Assistant Secretary-General, Ambassador Dr. Tarig Ali Bakheet, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja yesterday.

The initiative formed part of broader discussions on how Nigeria and the OIC could translate their longstanding relationship into more practical cooperation in humanitarian affairs, youth empowerment, countering extremism, cultural exchange, capacity building and socio-economic development.

Ahmed said the proposed Nigeria-OIC Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs would strengthen regional coordination in responding to insecurity and humanitarian challenges in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, while also promoting interfaith dialogue and assistance to displaced populations.

He said the mechanism would provide a platform for Nigeria and the OIC to work more closely on challenges that transcend national borders and require coordinated regional responses.

The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the objectives and programmes of the OIC, but called for greater emphasis on initiatives that could deliver tangible benefits to citizens.

Ahmed also advocated stronger cooperation in vocational training, women’s empowerment and healthcare development, alongside programmes aimed at improving the capacity of young people.

Beyond security and humanitarian concerns, he proposed greater cultural engagement among OIC member states, including the organisation of cultural festivals that could expose young people to diverse cultural heritage.

He said such exchanges could help promote peace, unity and mutual understanding among young people across member states.

The proposals point to an effort by Nigeria to broaden its engagement with the OIC beyond diplomatic relations and towards practical programmes capable of addressing social, economic and humanitarian challenges.

Bakheet commended Nigeria’s active and constructive role within the OIC and expressed the organisation’s readiness to deepen cooperation with the country.

“The Organisation is ready to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in areas of shared interest,” Bakheet said.

The OIC Assistant Secretary-General also invited Nigeria to consider hosting the next OIC Social Development Conference and annual cultural festivals, while encouraging stronger Nigerian representation in managerial positions within the organisation.

The invitation could provide Nigeria with another avenue to shape discussions within the OIC on social development, cultural cooperation and other issues affecting member states.

The two sides also agreed on the importance of sustained high-level engagement and practical cooperation in strengthening relations between Nigeria and the OIC.

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

The meeting is expected to include the election of a new Secretary-General of the organisation, making Nigeria’s participation particularly significant as member states deliberate on the future leadership of the OIC.

The engagement therefore comes at a time when Nigeria is seeking to strengthen its role within the organisation while using its partnership with the OIC to advance cooperation on security, humanitarian assistance, youth development and socio-economic issues.