KEY POINTS

• Senate President Godswill Akpabio will lead a five-member Nigerian delegation to the Vatican for Pope Francis’ funeral, delivering President Tinubu’s letter of condolence.

• The delegation includes prominent diplomats and Catholic leaders, highlighting Nigeria’s deep ties with the global Catholic community.

• President Tinubu paid tribute to Pope Francis as a “humble servant of God” whose leadership left an enduring impact on millions worldwide.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio will lead Nigeria’s official delegation to Vatican City to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, scheduled for Saturday, following the Pope’s passing earlier this week.

Channelstv reports that the five-member delegation was constituted by President Bola Tinubu to represent Nigeria at the solemn occasion and convey the nation’s sympathies.

Pope Francis, who led the Roman Catholic Church since 2013, died at the age of 88 on April 21, 2025, just a day after participating in Easter Sunday celebrations.

His death marks the end of a transformative papacy, during which he was widely hailed as a champion of the marginalized, a voice for peace, and a reformer within the Catholic Church.

Announcing the delegation, presidential adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said it would include key figures from Nigeria’s religious and diplomatic community. Accompanying Akpabio will be 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.

“The Nigerian delegation will formally deliver a letter conveying President Tinubu’s sympathy and condolences to the Acting Head of the Vatican during their visit,” Onanuga said in the official statement.

Delegation to deliver President Tinubu’s condolence message to the Vatican leadership

President Tinubu had earlier paid tribute to Pope Francis, describing him as “a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.” In his message, Tinubu noted that the Pope’s death, occurring shortly after the Christian celebration of Easter, “symbolizes a sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope for all Christians.”

Pope Francis’ death has sent ripples of mourning across the globe, with world leaders, faith communities, and ordinary citizens reflecting on his legacy. His efforts to foster dialogue among religions, advocate for climate action, and reform the Vatican bureaucracy left an indelible mark not only on the Catholic Church but also on global affairs.

Nigeria, home to one of Africa’s largest Catholic populations, joins millions worldwide in mourning the late pontiff. His outreach to Africa during his papacy included calls for justice, peace, and equitable development across the continent.

Senate President Akpabio, known for his active engagement in interfaith initiatives during his political career, was specifically chosen to lead the delegation due to the significance of Nigeria’s relationship with the Vatican and the importance of honoring Pope Francis’ global legacy.

The Nigerian delegation is expected to participate in the full burial rites, alongside leaders and dignitaries from around the world, in what promises to be one of the largest religious gatherings in recent history.

Catholic parishes across Nigeria have announced plans for local memorial masses to celebrate the life and ministry of Pope Francis. The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria has urged worshippers to join in prayers for the repose of his soul and for the election of a worthy successor to continue his work.

As the world bids farewell to one of its most beloved spiritual leaders, Nigeria’s participation in the funeral rites underscores the country’s historical ties with the Vatican and its shared commitment to the values Pope Francis espoused—compassion, humility, justice, and service to humanity.