President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday, October 12, for Rome, Italy, to participate in the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government Level Meeting, which focuses on tackling the growing security crisis in West Africa.
The high-level meeting, scheduled to begin on Monday, October 14, will bring together leaders, top military and intelligence chiefs, and representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations from across Africa and beyond. The discussions will centre on the expanding terrorist threats, the crime-terror nexus, and maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Aqaba Process, initiated in 2015 by King Abdullah II of Jordan and co-chaired by Jordan and Italy, serves as a global counter-terrorism platform to enhance coordination and develop joint strategies against violent extremism. This year’s session is expected to take a closer look at the evolving security challenges in the Sahel and coastal West Africa, where extremist groups have continued to expand their reach.
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According to a statement from the Presidency, President Tinubu will join other heads of state and security experts in exchanging assessments on the current security landscape and proposing innovative strategies to counter the growing terror threat across the region. Discussions will also focus on curbing online radicalisation and dismantling digital networks used for terrorist propaganda and recruitment.
Beyond the plenary sessions, President Tinubu is expected to hold bilateral talks with fellow leaders on strengthening regional and international partnerships to combat insecurity and promote stability across Africa.
The Nigerian delegation includes the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu–Ojukwu; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, among other senior government officials.
President Tinubu’s participation underscores Nigeria’s commitment to international collaboration in addressing terrorism, organised crime, and instability threatening development in West Africa.
The Aqaba Process continues to serve as a vital platform for fostering intelligence sharing, strengthening defence cooperation, and aligning global efforts toward peace and security in Africa.