Sunday, October 12, 2025
President Bola Tinubu in Rome for Aqaba Summit joins world leaders to strengthen West Africa’s security and combat terrorism through joint regional cooperation.
President Bola Tinubu in Rome for Aqaba Summit has departed Abuja to attend the high-level Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government Meeting, a global platform focused on improving security collaboration in West Africa.
According to a statement by Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the President left Abuja on Sunday for Rome, where the summit will begin on Tuesday. The Tinubu in Rome for Aqaba Summit will gather heads of state, intelligence chiefs, and military officials from Africa and Europe to deliberate on regional and transnational security threats.
Aqaba Process and Its Global Relevance
The Aqaba Process, launched in 2015 by King Abdullah II of Jordan and co-chaired by the Italian Government, is a counter-terrorism initiative designed to foster international cooperation. It focuses on the evolving nature of terrorism in West Africa, the Sahel, and the Gulf of Guinea, as extremist groups exploit porous borders and online radicalisation.
During the Tinubu in Rome for Aqaba Summit, participants will assess intelligence reports and develop frameworks for better coordination between nations affected by cross-border violence. The meeting will also strengthen the fight against maritime piracy and terrorist infiltration along key trade routes.
Key Agendas and Bilateral Engagements
Discussions at the Tinubu in Rome for Aqaba Summit will prioritise:
Enhancing intelligence-sharing among African states.
Disrupting terrorist financing networks.
Combating online radicalisation and extremist recruitment.
Developing sustainable counter-terrorism partnerships.
President Tinubu is also expected to hold bilateral talks with other heads of state to deepen defence partnerships and boost Nigeria’s influence in regional security frameworks.
Accompanying the President to Rome are:
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 (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed, alongside other senior government officials.
International Cooperation and Nigeria’s Strategic Role
The Tinubu in Rome for Aqaba Summit underscores Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability through collaboration with global allies. It also aligns with the United Nations’ counter-terrorism objectives and the African Union Peace and Security Agenda.
This meeting further demonstrates Nigeria’s leadership in promoting peace and preventing violent extremism across Africa’s most vulnerable zones.
What to Expect After the Summit
Experts expect the outcomes of the Tinubu in Rome for Aqaba Summit to shape joint task-force operations, maritime safety policies, and security information exchanges between Nigeria, Italy, and Jordan. The Nigerian delegation is anticipated to return with strengthened alliances and actionable strategies for securing the region. GMTNewsng
