President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Sunday, October 12, depart Abuja for Rome, Italy, where he is scheduled to participate in the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government Meeting, a high-level forum dedicated to addressing the growing security challenges in West Africa.
According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the meeting, which begins on October 14, will bring together Heads of State and Government, senior intelligence and military officials from across Africa, alongside representatives of international and non-governmental organisations, to deliberate on the evolving dynamics of terrorism and insecurity in the subregion.
A Global Security Dialogue
The Aqaba Process was launched in 2015 by King Abdullah II of Jordan as a global counter-terrorism initiative aimed at fostering international cooperation against extremist violence. It serves as a platform for dialogue among political, military, and security leaders to share intelligence, strengthen coordination, and design comprehensive strategies to combat terrorism and transnational organised crime.
This year’s edition, co-chaired by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Government of Italy, will focus primarily on West Africa’s worsening security situation, including the expansion of terrorist networks, the growing nexus between terrorism and organised crime, and the overlap between land-based extremism in the Sahel and maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
The meeting is expected to examine ways of strengthening cross-border cooperation, enhancing intelligence sharing, and developing joint counter-terrorism frameworks that address both land and maritime threats. Participants will also explore measures to combat online radicalisation and disrupt digital networks that promote extremist propaganda and recruitment.
Nigeria’s Commitment to Regional Security
President Tinubu’s participation underscores Nigeria’s continued commitment to regional peace and security, particularly as the country faces persistent challenges from insurgency, banditry, and organised crime.
Since assuming office, President Tinubu has prioritised security sector reform, regional collaboration, and intelligence-driven operations as central pillars of his administration’s strategy to restore stability and strengthen national defence. His attendance at the Aqaba Process is seen as part of ongoing efforts to deepen Nigeria’s partnerships with key international allies in the global fight against terrorism.
According to the statement, the President will use the opportunity to engage with other world leaders in bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening cooperation on security, economic development, and intelligence sharing. The discussions are expected to address practical steps to curb the spread of extremist groups from the Sahel into the coastal states of West Africa, as well as enhance maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea — a vital trade route that has faced recurrent pirate attacks in recent years.
Collaborative Action on West African Security
Experts say the 2025 Aqaba Process Meeting comes at a critical time for West Africa, as the region faces multiple security crises — from the persistent insurgencies in the Sahel to military coups and political instability in several states.
Regional and international organisations, including the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, the United Nations Office on Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), and the European Union (EU), are expected to participate in the Rome meeting.
Their discussions will focus on coordinating strategies to prevent the spillover of extremist violence, mitigating the effects of climate change on security, and ensuring sustainable development as part of the broader solution to insecurity.
The Aqaba Process has previously convened in cities such as Amman, Tashkent, Singapore, and The Hague, focusing on regional contexts ranging from the Middle East and East Africa to Southeast Asia. The inclusion of West Africa in this year’s agenda underscores growing global concern about the region’s strategic importance and the rising tide of extremism threatening its stability.
Nigeria’s Delegation to the Meeting
Accompanying President Tinubu on the trip will be a high-powered delegation of top government and security officials, including:
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Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu–Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
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Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Minister of Defence
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Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser
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Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA)
Other senior officials from the Presidency, the Ministry of Defence, and Nigeria’s intelligence community are also expected to participate in technical sessions during the summit.
Strategic Implications
Analysts view President Tinubu’s attendance as part of his administration’s broader diplomatic strategy to reassert Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa and strengthen multilateral cooperation on global security challenges.
Nigeria has been an active participant in regional peacekeeping and counter-terrorism operations under ECOWAS and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) combating Boko Haram and Islamic State affiliates in the Lake Chad Basin. However, the rising complexity of regional threats — including arms proliferation, illegal mining, and cyber-radicalisation — has prompted calls for deeper global engagement.
Security analysts argue that collaboration through frameworks like the Aqaba Process could help Nigeria access better intelligence, secure military partnerships, and mobilise international funding for counter-insurgency operations and border security.
“This meeting offers Nigeria an opportunity to reinforce its security alliances and showcase its leadership in regional stability,” said Dr. Kabiru Adamu, a security consultant. “The challenges of terrorism today are global, and Nigeria’s engagement in such forums ensures that our voice is heard in shaping cooperative responses.”
Toward a Safer Subregion
Beyond the formal sessions, President Tinubu is expected to hold bilateral talks with other Heads of State and Government on the margins of the meeting. These discussions are likely to cover joint border operations, arms control, maritime surveillance, and capacity building for local security forces.
Nigeria is also expected to push for greater international support in addressing the humanitarian consequences of terrorism and displacement in the Lake Chad and Sahel regions.
Observers say the outcomes of the meeting could have far-reaching implications for regional peacebuilding and security cooperation, particularly as West Africa prepares for a new phase of geopolitical realignment and economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
As the world turns its attention to Rome next week, all eyes will be on President Tinubu and other African leaders to articulate a unified vision for a safer and more stable region — one that can overcome terrorism, foster prosperity, and ensure peace for millions of citizens across the continent.
