Tinubu Meets Security Chiefs Ahead Of Saturday Departure To Rome For Pope Leo XIV Visit

President Bola Tinubu is currently holding a closed-door meeting with Nigeria’s Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The meeting, taking place ahead of his scheduled visit to Rome on Saturday, is expected to focus on the rising insecurity across the country.

Present at the meeting are Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, among others.

President Tinubu is set to depart for Rome to attend the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV, following a formal invitation from the Vatican. The solemn event will mark the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was elected 27 days after the passing of Pope Francis.

According to Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s presence at the event underscores the Vatican’s recognition of Nigeria’s importance on the global stage. The newly elected pontiff, who served at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s, has described Nigeria as “particularly dear” to him.

The President will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; 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 papal inauguration will take place at St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, May 18, with President Tinubu expected back in Abuja on Tuesday, May 20.