By Emmanuel Kwada
President Bola Tinubu returned to Abuja today, October 18, after a productive trip to Rome, Italy, where he participated in the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government-level Meeting, a high-profile counter-terrorism summit.
The presidency, in a statement by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, underscored the visit as a pivotal step in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and violent extremism, particularly in West Africa.
The Aqaba Process, a Jordanian initiative launched in 2015 by King Abdullah II and co-chaired with Italy, convened its latest session on Wednesday, October 15, at Rome’s National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art.
The closed-door meeting drew an array of global leaders, including King Abdullah II, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and the presidents of Chad, Paraguay, Sierra Leone, and Togo. Also in attendance were Algeria’s Upper House President Azouz Nasri, delegations from Côte d’Ivoire, Kazakhstan, Mauritania, Senegal, and Uzbekistan, alongside security experts and special envoys.
According to the State House press release, the Rome summit zeroed in on strengthening regional and international collaboration to combat terrorism, with a special focus on West Africa’s security challenges.
The Aqaba Process, built on three pillars prevention, coordination, and addressing operational gaps has held 33 meetings since its inception, ranging from summits to technical sessions, cementing its role as a cornerstone of global counter-terrorism strategy.
On the sidelines, President Tinubu engaged in strategic bilateral talks. He met with Prime Minister Meloni to explore enhanced cooperation and held discussions with Massad Boulos, Senior Adviser on Arab and African Affairs to U.S. President Donald Trump.
A notable highlight was his meeting with the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, where Tinubu addressed disinformation campaigns falsely portraying Nigeria as intolerant of religious diversity, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to religious harmony.
“President Tinubu’s participation reinforces Nigeria’s leadership in tackling terrorism,” Onanuga’s statement read, signaling that the outcomes of the Rome meeting will inform ongoing efforts to secure Nigeria and the broader Sahel region.
As Tinubu settles back into Aso Rock, the administration is expected to translate these global commitments into actionable policies, with Nigerians watching closely for tangible results.
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