President Bola Tinubu will on Sunday depart Abuja for Rome to participate in the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government Meeting, a high-level forum focused on tackling the worsening security situation across West Africa.
The announcement was made in a statement by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, who noted that the summit—scheduled to begin on Tuesday—will convene African leaders, senior intelligence and defence officials, as well as representatives of key international and non-governmental organisations.
Launched in 2015 by Jordan’s King Abdullah II, the Aqaba Process is a global counter-terrorism initiative co-chaired by Jordan and Italy. It serves as a platform for countries to collaborate in addressing the growing threat of terrorism, particularly in regions like the Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea.
This year’s meeting will focus on the rising links between land-based terrorist groups in the Sahel and maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. Participants are expected to exchange intelligence assessments and develop strategies for stronger regional and international cooperation to combat cross-border security threats.
Other key discussions will explore measures to counter online radicalisation and disrupt the digital networks used by extremist groups for recruitment and propaganda.
President Tinubu is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with other heads of state, aimed at enhancing security coordination and reinforcing Nigeria’s partnerships in the fight against terrorism.
He will be accompanied by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed, among other senior officials.
