Abuja, Nigeria – October 12, 2025 – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to depart Abuja on Sunday for Rome, Italy, to participate in the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government Meeting, a high-level summit focused on addressing West Africa’s escalating security challenges. The announcement was made in a statement by the Presidential Spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, underscoring Nigeria’s commitment to regional and international collaboration in combating terrorism and related threats.
The Aqaba Process, launched in 2015 by Jordan’s King Abdullah II, is a global counter-terrorism platform co-chaired by Jordan and the Italian Government. The summit, commencing on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, will bring together African heads of state, top intelligence and military officials, and representatives from key intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. The platform is designed to foster dialogue and cooperation in addressing complex security challenges, particularly in regions plagued by terrorism, organized crime, and instability.
This year’s summit will focus on the multifaceted security crisis in West Africa, where terrorist networks have expanded their influence, threatening regional stability. The agenda includes discussions on the growing nexus between land-based terrorist groups operating in the Sahel and maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. This linkage has raised concerns among regional leaders, as it amplifies the threat posed by non-state actors and complicates efforts to secure both terrestrial and maritime domains.
West Africa’s Security Challenges in Focus
West Africa has been grappling with a surge in terrorist activities, particularly in the Sahel region, where groups such as Boko Haram, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), and other jihadist factions have intensified their operations. These groups have exploited porous borders, weak governance structures, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities to expand their reach, targeting civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure. The Sahel, a semi-arid belt stretching across countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, has become a hotspot for extremist violence, with thousands of deaths and millions of displacements reported in recent years.
The Gulf of Guinea, meanwhile, has emerged as a global piracy hotspot, with criminal networks engaging in armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom, and illegal bunkering. The interplay between land-based terrorism and maritime crime has created a complex security environment, as terrorist groups increasingly rely on illicit maritime activities to fund their operations. This convergence has prompted calls for a coordinated regional response, as no single country can address these cross-border threats in isolation.
At the Aqaba Process summit, participants will share intelligence assessments to better understand the evolving nature of these threats. The discussions will emphasize the need for enhanced regional and international collaboration to disrupt terrorist networks, secure borders, and protect maritime trade routes. Intelligence-sharing mechanisms, joint military operations, and capacity-building initiatives are expected to feature prominently in the deliberations.
Countering Terrorism on Land and Sea
A key focus of the summit will be the development of joint strategies to combat terrorism on both land and sea. On land, West African nations are seeking to strengthen their counter-terrorism frameworks through improved coordination among security forces, enhanced border surveillance, and community-based initiatives to address the root causes of radicalization. The summit will explore ways to bolster the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a regional coalition established to combat Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the Lake Chad Basin.
At sea, the Gulf of Guinea’s maritime security challenges require a multifaceted approach. Piracy and armed robbery at sea have disrupted international shipping and threatened the economic stability of coastal states. Nigeria, as a regional leader, has invested in maritime security through initiatives like the Deep Blue Project, which deploys naval assets, surveillance systems, and special forces to combat piracy. However, the scale of the problem necessitates greater international cooperation, including partnerships with global navies and organizations like the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The summit will also address the role of technology in countering maritime threats. Advanced surveillance systems, satellite monitoring, and regional information-sharing platforms are critical to tracking illicit activities in the Gulf of Guinea. Participants will discuss how to leverage these tools to enhance domain awareness and coordinate rapid-response operations.
Tackling Online Radicalization
Another critical agenda item is countering online radicalization and dismantling digital channels used for extremist propaganda and recruitment. Terrorist groups in West Africa have increasingly turned to social media and encrypted messaging platforms to spread their ideology, recruit fighters, and coordinate attacks. The anonymity and global reach of these platforms have made it difficult for security agencies to track and disrupt extremist networks.
The Aqaba Process summit will explore strategies to counter online radicalization, including partnerships with technology companies to monitor and remove extremist content. Governments are also expected to discuss ways to promote counter-narratives that challenge extremist ideologies and engage vulnerable communities. In Nigeria, for instance, initiatives like the National Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Strategy have emphasized community engagement and public awareness campaigns to prevent radicalization.
Bilateral Engagements and Nigeria’s Role
During the summit, President Tinubu will engage in bilateral talks with fellow leaders to strengthen security coordination across the West African subregion. These discussions will focus on harmonizing national policies, sharing best practices, and securing international support for regional counter-terrorism efforts. Nigeria, as the largest economy and most populous nation in West Africa, plays a pivotal role in shaping the region’s security architecture.
The Nigerian delegation, led by President Tinubu, includes high-ranking officials with expertise in security and foreign policy. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, will accompany the president, along with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed. Their presence underscores Nigeria’s commitment to addressing the region’s security challenges through a whole-of-government approach.
The Broader Context of the Aqaba Process
The Aqaba Process is a unique platform that brings together diverse stakeholders to address global security challenges. Since its inception, it has facilitated dialogue on issues ranging from counter-terrorism to transnational crime, with a focus on fostering practical solutions. The inclusion of West Africa in this year’s summit reflects the growing recognition of the region’s strategic importance and the global implications of its security challenges.
For Nigeria, participation in the Aqaba Process is an opportunity to showcase its leadership in regional security and advocate for greater international support. The country has made significant strides in combating terrorism, including military operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP, as well as efforts to address the socioeconomic drivers of extremism. However, challenges such as funding constraints, logistical limitations, and the need for advanced technology continue to hamper progress.
Implications for West Africa and Beyond
The outcomes of the Aqaba Process summit could have far-reaching implications for West Africa’s security landscape. By fostering greater collaboration among regional and international actors, the summit aims to create a more cohesive and effective response to terrorism and maritime crime. For Nigeria, the summit represents an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, secure technical and financial assistance, and enhance its capacity to address complex security threats.
The focus on joint strategies and intelligence-sharing could pave the way for more robust regional mechanisms, such as expanded roles for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) in counter-terrorism efforts. Additionally, the emphasis on countering online radicalization highlights the need for a multidimensional approach that combines security measures with efforts to address the ideological and socioeconomic factors driving extremism.
Conclusion
As President Tinubu prepares to depart for Rome, Nigeria’s participation in the Aqaba Process summit underscores its commitment to addressing West Africa’s security challenges. The summit provides a critical platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the development of actionable strategies to combat terrorism, maritime piracy, and online radicalization. With a high-level delegation accompanying the president, Nigeria is well-positioned to advocate for regional and international support in tackling these pressing issues. The outcomes of the summit will likely shape the future of West Africa’s security architecture, reinforcing the importance of collective action in an increasingly interconnected world.
