President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja after attending the Aqaba Process Heads of State Meeting in Rome, Italy. The meeting, held on Wednesday, aimed to strengthen global cooperation against terrorism and violent extremism. According to a statement issued by Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the Aqaba Process—launched in 2015 by King Abdullah II of Jordan—seeks to foster security collaboration through strategic dialogue among nations. The Rome edition focused on boosting international efforts to combat terrorism in West Africa.
Leaders from several countries participated, including King Abdullah II, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and the presidents of Nigeria, Chad, Togo, Paraguay, and Sierra Leone. Representatives from Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Kazakhstan, Mauritania, Senegal, and Uzbekistan, as well as security experts and special envoys, were also present.
On the sidelines of the meeting, President Tinubu held bilateral talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.S. presidential adviser on Arab‑African affairs Massad Boulos. He also met Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin to discuss religious harmony and national unity. The discussions addressed false narratives portraying Nigeria as intolerant of religious diversity and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to peaceful coexistence.
Since its inception, the Aqaba Process has hosted 33 sessions, ranging from expert roundtables to Heads of State meetings. Its strategy is anchored on three pillars—prevention, coordination, and closing operational gaps in counter‑terrorism responses—and has brought together nations to share experiences and best practices in combating terrorism and violent extremism. By attending the Heads of State Meeting, President Tinubu demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to regional and global efforts to combat terrorism, providing a platform for the country to engage with other states and international organizations on the security challenges facing the region. As the global community continues to grapple with the threat of terrorism, the Aqaba Process remains an important initiative for promoting cooperation and coordination among nations.
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