By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
EFFORTS TO strengthen international cooperation against terrorism and insecurity in West Africa will headline the agenda as President Bola Tinubu departs Abuja on Sunday, 12 October, for Rome, Italy, to participate in the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government Level Meeting.
According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the meeting will specifically focus on addressing the evolving security crisis within the West African subregion.
The summit, scheduled to commence on 14 October, will assemble Heads of State and Government, senior intelligence and defence officials from various African countries, as well as representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations.
Participants will deliberate on the growing challenges of terrorism, organised crime, and cross-border insecurity across the region.
The Aqaba Process, established in 2015 by King Abdullah II of Jordan, is a global counter-terrorism initiative jointly co-chaired by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Italian Government.
It provides a platform for strategic engagement among national leaders, security experts, and international agencies working to mitigate threats posed by violent extremism and terrorist activities.
The Ministry explained that discussions in Rome will centre on the complex and interconnected nature of security threats confronting West Africa.
These include the expansion of terrorist networks across the Sahel, the rising links between crime and terrorism, and the increasing overlap between land-based extremism and maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
Participants are expected to exchange insights on the current security environment, assess emerging risks, and develop collaborative strategies aimed at improving intelligence sharing and operational coordination.
They will also explore mechanisms to strengthen regional and international partnerships to effectively respond to both land and sea-based terror threats.
The agenda further includes discussions on combating online radicalisation, curbing the spread of extremist propaganda, and dismantling digital communication networks used by terrorist groups for recruitment and coordination.
During the meeting, President Tinubu will participate in plenary sessions and hold bilateral engagements with other world leaders.
These talks will focus on expanding partnerships and exploring practical approaches to reinforce collective security architecture in West Africa.
The President will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
Other senior government officials will also be part of the delegation.
The statement added that President Tinubu’s participation underscores Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace, counter-terrorism collaboration, and the pursuit of sustainable solutions to insecurity affecting the subregion.
The Presidency reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to engage constructively with global partners through the Aqaba Process framework and to strengthen collective action against threats undermining stability in West Africa and beyond.
The Aqaba Process continues to serve as a critical dialogue mechanism for governments and international organisations dedicated to enhancing cooperation, information exchange, and coordination in counterterrorism and security operations.
The statement concluded that the President’s engagements in Rome reflect the administration’s consistent efforts to build strategic alliances and ensure a secure environment that supports peace and development across Africa.
