In a powerful address at the 51st Session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul, Nigeria’s delegation, led by Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Umar Ahmed Dunama, reinforced President Bola Tinubu’s demand for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and adopt a two-state solution as the path to lasting peace.
With the theme: “The OIC in a Transforming World,” focused on the Gaza crisis, with Nigeria proposing actionable measures to address the humanitarian catastrophe, where over 43,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have been killed since the conflict escalated in October 2023.
A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicates Nigeria also proposed establishing an OIC-Arab League secretariat to monitor ceasefire compliance and advance peace talks.
President Tinubu’s earlier warnings against “empty condemnations” resonated, with delegates urging actionable steps, whereas the delegation emphasized that “no political aim justifies the loss of innocent lives”.
The host nation- Türkiye, a vocal advocate for Palestine, echoed Nigeria’s calls while showcasing its diplomatic leadership.
The summit also highlighted Türkiye’s growing economic and tourism sector, with Istanbul set to host the 2025 PATA Annual Summit to promote sustainable tourism .
