Islamic Diplomatic Engagement and Development Partnerships: Assessing Nigeria‘s Prospects as a Bridge between Africa and the Muslim World

Islamic diplomacy has gained renewed prominence as faith-based engagement increasingly shapes international cooperation and development governance within the Muslim world. Nigeria, home to one of Africa’s largest Muslim populations and strategically positioned between sub-Saharan Africa and the broader Islamic sphere, possesses significant yet underutilized potential to function as a diplomatic and developmental bridge between Africa and Muslim-majority states. This study examines Nigeria’s prospects for advancing Islamic diplomatic engagement and strengthening development partnerships with institutions and countries of the Muslim world. Adopting a qualitative analytical approach based on policy documents, institutional reports, and contemporary diplomatic engagements, the paper evaluates Nigeria’s existing participation in Islamic multilateral frameworks, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Islamic Development Bank. The analysis reveals that while Nigeria’s demographic advantage, religious networks, and historical linkages provide a strong foundation for enhanced engagement, limited institutional coordination, inconsistent foreign policy prioritization, and domestic political sensitivities constrain effective leadership in Islamic development diplomacy. The study further identifies emerging opportunities in Islamic finance, educational exchange, humanitarian collaboration, and South–South cooperation that could position Nigeria as a central hub for Africa–Muslim world development partnerships. By integrating Islamic diplomatic instruments into its foreign policy architecture, Nigeria could strengthen its international influence and contribute meaningfully to inclusive development across both regions. The paper contributes to growing scholarship on faith-based diplomacy and offers strategic policy recommendations for advancing Nigeria’s role in global Islamic development cooperation.