Tinubu Meets with Security Chiefs Ahead of Rome Trip

ABUJA, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu on Friday, held a private meeting with Nigeria's Service Chiefs and Inspector General of Police (IGP) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, ahead of his planned trip to Rome on Saturday. 

Attendees included Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and IGP Kayode Egbetokun, among others.

While the topics discussed during the meeting were not made public, it is thought to have focused on the recent increase in insecurity across the nation.

President Tinubu is set to travel to Rome to participate in the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV, following an invitation from the Vatican.

This solemn mass will commence the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome and leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

According to Bayo Onanuga, Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Tinubu will be joining other global leaders and Catholic dignitaries for the occasion.

In his formal invitation, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State for the Vatican, highlighted the significance of President Tinubu's presence during “this moment of particular importance for the Catholic Church and a world beset by various tensions and conflicts.”

Pope Leo XIV, previously known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who worked at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos in the 1980s, has frequently referred to Nigeria as “especially dear” to him.

The President will be joined by a distinguished delegation that includes Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji (President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria), Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos, and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto Diocese.

The Pope will be formally inaugurated during a grand ceremony at St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, May 18, after being elected by the College of Cardinals, 27 days following Pope Francis' passing on April 21. President Tinubu is anticipated to return to Abuja on Tuesday, May 20.