Tinubu deploys Akpabio, Minister, 3 Archbishops for Pope Francis’ funeral

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu and Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Archbishop Matthew Hassan Kukah as members of Nigeria’s high-powered delegation to Vatican City to attend the burial of His Holiness, Pope Francis, on Saturday, April 26.

Other members of the delegation are Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio will lead the five-member delegation, Bayo Onanuga, the spokesperson for the President said in a statement on Friday.

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.

President Tinubu had on Monday 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.”

In the condolence message, President Tinubu remarked that Pope Francis’s death, coming just after the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, is a sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians.

Pope Francis, the revered head of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 88, just a day after appearing for Easter Sunday celebrations at the Vatican.

World leaders are already arriving at the Vatican for the burial.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei are among leaders arriving Friday, the last day Argentine pope will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Vatican said 130 delegations are confirmed to attend the funeral, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns.

Tens of thousands of mourners have waited hours in line to bid farewell to Francis, who died on Monday after suffering a stroke at the age of 88.