The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed profound sorrow and conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the State of Qatar following the death of its former leader and Father Amir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away on Sunday morning, July 12, 2026, at the age of 74. In an official diplomatic statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja and signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, Nigeria described the late ruler as an iconic and visionary statesman whose monumental transformative legacy extended far beyond the borders of the Middle East, fundamentally reshaping global politics and international energy markets.
On behalf of the Nigerian government, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, extended sincere sympathies to Qatar’s current ruler, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Al Thani royal family, and the entire Qatari population as they enter a four-day period of official national mourning. Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that Sheikh Hamad’s dedication to structural development, rapid modernization, and global diplomatic cooperation will be fondly remembered by international partners worldwide.
Widely revered as the chief architect of modern Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani ruled the energy-rich Gulf nation from 1995 until his historic voluntary abdication in 2013, a prosperous era that saw the country utilize its massive natural gas reserves to achieve unparalleled economic expansion, establish global institutional heavyweights like Al Jazeera, and secure a prominent seat on the international stage.
