Tinubu, Chad’s Déby Itno Seal Stronger Security Ties in Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hosted the President of the Republic of Chad, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where both leaders reaffirmed commitments to stronger bilateral cooperation on security, trade, and regional stability.

The Chadian leader arrived on Thursday for a high-level visit aimed at deepening diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Chad, particularly in response to shared security challenges in the Lake Chad Basin and wider Sahel region. He was received by President Tinubu with full honours before both leaders proceeded into a closed-door meeting.

At the centre of their discussions was the ongoing fight against insurgency and cross-border terrorism, with both presidents emphasising the need for coordinated military action, intelligence sharing, and enhanced collaboration among regional defence forces. They also reviewed efforts of the Multinational Joint Task Force operating in the Lake Chad region.

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President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace and stability, stressing that no single country could effectively combat terrorism alone. He noted that stronger cooperation among neighbouring states remained critical to defeating extremist groups and restoring normalcy to affected communities.

President Déby Itno, on his part, commended Nigeria’s leadership role in West African security affairs and expressed readiness to strengthen ties in defence, energy, and economic development. He also highlighted the importance of joint strategies to address displacement, humanitarian challenges, and youth vulnerability to extremist recruitment.

Both leaders further discussed opportunities for expanding trade and investment between Nigeria and Chad, particularly in agriculture, energy, and infrastructure development. They agreed on the need to improve border management while ensuring that legitimate movement of goods and people is not hindered.

The meeting also underscored the importance of unity among Sahel and West African nations in addressing climate-related pressures, including desertification and resource scarcity, which continue to worsen insecurity in the region.