Nigeria has joined the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, calling for a diplomatic resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. With longstanding ties to the Middle East, the West African nation hopes to bolster global efforts for peace in a region facing escalating violence.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to a two-state solution in a press briefing, stating that “the conflict will never end on the battlefield.”
This gathering of Arab and Islamic nations, which opened on November 11, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, underscores a renewed global push for peaceful dialogue over escalating violence.
President Bola Tinubu, set to address the summit’s delegates, is expected to call for an immediate ceasefire, a stance that aligns Nigeria with numerous global voices advocating for a peaceful resolution. Nigeria has consistently supported a “two-state solution”—envisioning Israel and Palestine coexisting as independent nations with secure borders.
This approach, Idris affirmed, is “the only sustainable path forward” and remains at the heart of Nigeria’s diplomatic objectives at the summit. Idris highlighted that “the conflict will never end on the battlefield” and stressed the importance of a solution that addresses underlying issues, which he says is critical for both regional and global security.
The conflict surged dramatically after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in over 1,200 Israeli fatalities and at least 251 hostages taken. Israel’s subsequent siege on Gaza has intensified with daily airstrikes, leading to the deaths of more than 41,000 Palestinians, including a disproportionate number of children and women, according to international reports. Despite international calls for restraint, Israel has maintained its stance to continue operations in Gaza until Hamas is dismantled.
The humanitarian toll in Gaza has escalated sharply, creating a crisis that experts describe as catastrophic. An international report on hunger recently warned that famine in northern Gaza is “imminent,” with half of the territory’s 2.3 million residents facing starvation without urgent intervention. “Unless we find a peaceful solution in the Middle East, Nigeria and other regions cannot escape the ripple effects of this conflict,” Idris cautioned, pointing to the interconnectedness of global peace and stability.
At the summit, Nigeria aims to serve as a mediator, urging global powers to prioritize dialogue and seeking a balanced solution that addresses both Israeli and Palestinian grievances. By lending its voice, Nigeria reinforces its role as a significant player on the world stage and reaffirms its dedication to peace, hoping that this summit will prompt renewed efforts toward lasting Middle Eastern stability and security.
