The consensus control problem is investigated for time-delayed nonlinear leader-following multi-agent systems, in which the unknown parameters and external disturbances are considered. Instead of using only one control method, a control scheme combining periodically intermittent control with H ∞ performance is employed. By manipulating the algebraic graph theory and constructing appropriate Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals, sufficient solutions assuring the exponential H ∞ consensus of the considered systems are established in the form of linear matrix inequalities. The communication graph among the followers is directed, which removes the restrictions on undirected graph or balanced graph in the literature. Simulation analyses are finally presented to verify the theoretical results.