President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday received his Chadian counterpart, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, at the State House in Abuja.
The visit marks Déby’s first official trip to Nigeria since Tinubu attended his inauguration in N’Djamena in May 2024.
Déby assumed leadership of Chad following the death of his father, former President Idriss Déby Itno, who was killed by rebels in 2021 while leading troops on the battlefield. He initially led a transitional military council before winning the presidential election in 2024.
Thursday’s meeting comes just days after Tinubu hosted another foreign leader, highlighting Nigeria’s ongoing diplomatic engagements. While details of the discussions were not immediately disclosed, sources indicate that talks are likely focused on regional security and efforts to combat insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin.
Nigeria and Chad share longstanding security and economic ties, particularly in tackling threats posed by extremist groups such as Boko Haram and IS-affiliated factions operating across the region.
The visit also comes amid shifting regional dynamics, including Chad’s evolving security partnerships and broader efforts to strengthen cooperation among countries affected by insurgency.
As of the time of reporting, the bilateral meeting between both leaders was still ongoing, with expectations that it will further reinforce collaboration on security, trade, and regional stability.
