President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday night met behind closed doors with Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Bio, who currently chairs the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), arrived at the Villa around 9pm and was received by senior Nigerian government officials.

Although details of their discussions have not been officially released, the meeting is understood to be centered on regional peace, security and economic cooperation. Both leaders are engaging at a time ECOWAS is working to address instability and strengthen coordination among member countries.

Tinubu, the immediate past ECOWAS Chairman, is also believed to be holding consultations with key regional figures as part of ongoing efforts to reposition the bloc and respond to emerging challenges in West Africa.

Earlier in the evening, President Bio announced his arrival in Nigeria through a post on X, where he noted that he was in Abuja to speak at Baze University’s 12th Convocation and interact with African business leaders.