By Peter Omopo
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Abuja after attending the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government-level Meeting in Rome, Italy, where world leaders gathered to deepen cooperation against terrorism and violent extremism.
The President, who departed Nigeria on October 12 for the summit scheduled to begin on October 14, arrived back in the country on Saturday.
According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu’s participation in the meeting reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong commitment to regional and global security alliances.
“The Aqaba Process, launched by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan in 2015, is a counter-terrorism initiative co-chaired by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Government of Italy,” the statement explained.
This year’s edition, held on October 15 at the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome, focused on strengthening regional and international collaboration in combating terrorism, with particular emphasis on West Africa.
The high-level meeting drew several global leaders, including King Abdullah II of Jordan, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and the Presidents of Nigeria, Chad, Paraguay, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Other dignitaries in attendance included Azouz Nasri, President of Algeria’s Upper House, as well as official delegations from Côte d’Ivoire, Kazakhstan, Mauritania, Senegal, and Uzbekistan, alongside security experts and special envoys.
“The meeting was held behind closed doors,” Onanuga noted, stressing the sensitivity of the discussions which focused on advancing global counterterrorism coordination.
Bilateral Engagements
On the sidelines of the summit, President Tinubu held a bilateral meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, during which both leaders discussed security cooperation, trade expansion, and migration management.
The Nigerian President also met with Massad Boulos, Senior Adviser on Arab and African Affairs to former U.S. President Donald Trump, to explore opportunities for strategic investment partnerships between Nigeria and international private sectors.
In addition, Tinubu met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, to discuss Nigeria’s interfaith harmony and national unity.
“The meeting addressed the widespread disinformation campaigns that falsely portray the country as intolerant of religious diversity,” the State House release added.
President Tinubu’s trip to Rome, according to the presidency, underscores Nigeria’s “steadfast role as a regional leader in peacekeeping and counterterrorism efforts,” particularly in the Sahel and West African subregions.
