President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Abuja following his participation in the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government-level meeting held in Rome, Italy, where global leaders deliberated on strategies to strengthen cooperation against terrorism and violent extremism.
The closed-door session, co-chaired by King Abdullah II of Jordan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, focused on regional security in West Africa and efforts to counter emerging extremist threats across borders.
Speaking on the significance of the meeting, Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga said it reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to international security partnerships.
“President Tinubu’s engagement underscores Nigeria’s central role in the global fight against terrorism, particularly in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin,” Onanuga noted.
During the visit, President Tinubu also held bilateral meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.S. Senior Adviser on Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos to deepen cooperation on security and economic development.
He later met with the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to discuss promoting religious harmony and addressing misinformation portraying Nigeria as intolerant of religious diversity.
“The President emphasised Nigeria’s multi-faith unity and the government’s commitment to peaceful coexistence,” Onanuga added.
The Aqaba Process, launched in 2015 by King Abdullah II of Jordan, aims to enhance coordination, prevention, and operational efficiency in global counterterrorism efforts.
Since inception, it has convened 33 sessions involving political leaders, security experts, and regional institutions.
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