President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Rome, Italy, on Sunday evening to participate in the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government Level Meeting, a strategic summit focused on addressing the escalating security challenges in West Africa.
The presidential aircraft touched down at the Fiumicino International Airport in Rome at approximately 7:20 p.m. local time.
According to a statement released on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the summit, which will commence on Tuesday, is set to convene Heads of State, senior military and intelligence officials, as well as representatives from intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations. The focus will be on fostering collaboration to tackle cross-border terrorism, violent extremism, and security threats in the region.
About the Aqaba Process
Launched in 2015 by King Abdullah II of Jordan, the Aqaba Process is a counter-terrorism initiative jointly co-chaired by Jordan and Italy. It aims to strengthen international cooperation in combating terrorism and preventing radicalisation, particularly in regions facing heightened security risks.
This year’s summit will concentrate on the growing threats in West Africa, including:
- The expansion of terrorist networks
- The crime-terror nexus
- The overlap between Sahel-based insurgencies and maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea
Participants will assess the current security landscape, discuss practical strategies, and coordinate efforts to disrupt online radicalisation and digital terrorist recruitment networks.
Nigeria’s Delegation and Bilateral Engagements
President Tinubu is expected to actively engage in plenary sessions and will also hold bilateral meetings with other world leaders to explore concrete solutions to the subregion’s mounting security concerns.
The President is accompanied by a high-level delegation including:
- Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu–Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
- Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Minister of Defence
- Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser
- Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency
- And other senior government officials
