President Tinubu names Senate President, top diplomats, and archbishops to represent Nigeria in historic farewell to the late Pontiff.
Nigeria has announced its official delegation to the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis, set to hold on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Leading the delegation is Senate President, Dr. Godswill Akpabio, appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to represent the nation at the solemn ceremony.
Joining Akpabio are notable dignitaries including Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN); Archbishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto Diocese; and Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama of Abuja Diocese.
The delegation will officially deliver a letter of condolence from President Tinubu to the Acting Head of the Vatican, expressing Nigeria’s heartfelt sympathy over the passing of the 88-year-old Pontiff.
Pope Francis, beloved leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on April 21, just a day after Easter Sunday celebrations in St. Peter’s Square—marking a poignant and spiritual farewell that resonated across the globe.
In a statement earlier this week, President Tinubu paid tribute to the Pope, describing him as “a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.” The president added that Pope Francis’s passing, coming so soon after Easter, was symbolic of “a sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope.”
The Vatican is expected to host world leaders, church heads, and millions of mourners for the historic funeral of one of the most influential spiritual figures of the 21st century.
