Why Tinubu, Shettima Can’t Attend Pope Francis’ Funeral – FG

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed why President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima cannot attend the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday.

THE WHISTLER had reported that the Nigerian delegation was notably absent from the list of 130 world leaders billed to attend the funeral. The list had four African leaders.

Consequently, THE WHISTLER reached out to the ministry to clarify why Nigeria was missing among countries said to have indicated interest in sending representatives to the funeral.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, told our correspondent that Tinubu and Shettima would not attend because they are Muslims.

“The President is a Muslim, so he will not attend, the Vice President is a Muslim, so I don’t know whether they will send the Senate President or a minister, for now, I don’t know,” said Ebienfa.

However, moments later, the Presidency released a statement indicating that Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, will head a high-level Nigerian delegation to attend the funeral of the Pope.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on Friday.

According to the statement, Tinubu is sending a five-member delegation, which also includes the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu.

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

The statement added, “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.

“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.”

Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, just a day after leading Easter Sunday celebrations at the Vatican.

According to Tinubu, the Pope’s death, coming after the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, symbolises a sacred return to his maker, which offers renewed hope to Christians worldwide.

Why Tinubu, Shettima Can’t Attend Pope Francis’ Funeral – FG is first published on The Whistler Newspaper