Akpabio leads Nigerian delegation to Vatican for Pope Francis’ funeral

Senate President Godswill Akpabio will represent Nigeria at the funeral of the late Pope Francis in Vatican City on Saturday, heading a delegation appointed by President Bola Tinubu.

This was made known in a statement issued on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

The five-member delegation includes prominent religious and government figures: Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria; Archbishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese; and Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama of the Abuja Diocese.

According to the statement, “The delegation will formally deliver a letter conveying President Tinubu’s sympathy and condolences on Pope Francis’ passing to the Acting Head of the Vatican.”

Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, just one day after presiding over Easter Sunday Mass at the Vatican.

Earlier this week, President Tinubu expressed his condolences, stating: “On Monday, President Tinubu joined the Catholic faithful and Christians worldwide to mourn the death of Pope Francis, who he described as ‘a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.’”

He further reflected on the timing of the Pope’s passing, noting that it followed the Christian celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Tinubu remarked that the moment “symbolises a sacred return to his Maker, offering renewed hope to Christians worldwide.”