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 international cooperation against terrorism and violent extremism.
The President, who departed Nigeria on October 12 for the high-level engagement, joined several global leaders at the summit, which took place on October 15 at the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy received by News Point Nigeria, the visit reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong commitment to regional and global security partnerships.
“President Bola Tinubu returns to Abuja today after participating in the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government-level Meeting in Rome, Italy,”
Onanuga said, emphasizing that the President’s participation reflects his administration’s focus on collective security and peacebuilding.
The Aqaba Process, a counterterrorism initiative launched in 2015 by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, was co-chaired this year by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Government of Italy.
The 2025 Rome edition focused on strengthening international coordination to counter terrorism and violent extremism, with special attention to emerging threats in West Africa, a region increasingly targeted by insurgent groups and transnational criminal networks.
Among those present were King Abdullah II of Jordan, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and the Presidents of Nigeria, Chad, Paraguay, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Also in attendance were Azouz Nasri, President of Algeria’s Upper House; high-level delegations from Côte d’Ivoire, Kazakhstan, Mauritania, Senegal, and Uzbekistan; and various special envoys and counterterrorism experts.
The high-level meeting was held behind closed doors, underscoring the sensitive nature of the security discussions and intelligence-sharing that formed part of the deliberations.
On the sidelines of the summit, President Tinubu held bilateral discussions with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, focusing on security cooperation, migration management, and trade relations between Nigeria and Italy.
He also met with Massad Boulos, Senior Adviser on Arab and African Affairs to former U.S. President Donald Trump, in a session centered on private sector investment and economic partnerships.
In addition, President Tinubu met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, to discuss religious tolerance, interfaith dialogue, and efforts to counter false narratives of division within Nigeria’s diverse religious landscape.
“The meeting addressed the widespread disinformation campaigns that falsely portray the country as intolerant of religious diversity,” the statement read.
“President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to unity and peaceful coexistence among its multi-faith population.”
Since its launch in 2015, the Aqaba Process has held 33 sessions, bringing together governments, security agencies, and experts to bridge operational gaps in counterterrorism coordination and strengthen early warning systems.
Nigeria’s participation, the Presidency noted, reflects President Tinubu’s security diplomacy agenda, which seeks to ensure regional stability while addressing the root causes of extremism including poverty, social injustice, and poor governance.
“This administration will continue to partner with global and regional actors to combat terrorism, foster stability, and promote peace in Africa and beyond,” the Presidency assured.