President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially announced the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, describing the move as a symbolic bridge to deepen ties between Africa and the Caribbean. Speaking during a special joint session of the Senate and House of Assembly of Saint Lucia at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom in Gros Islet, the President emphasized Nigeria’s renewed commitment to fostering stronger bonds with Caribbean nations.
As part of this historic engagement, President Tinubu proposed the establishment of a Joint Commission or Political Consultation Agreement to create a structured framework for bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). He also declared Nigeria’s willingness to offer visa waivers to holders of OECS diplomatic and official passports and encouraged reciprocal gestures to ease official travel and enhance institutional collaboration.
The President further announced full Nigerian government scholarships for students from OECS countries. This, he said, is aimed at deepening cultural understanding and strengthening people-to-people ties that are rooted in shared history and identity.
“My presence here today symbolizes Nigeria’s renewed commitment to re-engage with these enduring ties, recognizing their strategic and emotional significance,” President Tinubu said. “This occasion serves as a testament to the enduring ideals of Pan-Africanism and the unyielding desire for unity and collaboration among peoples of African descent.”
President Tinubu addressed an audience that included leaders and dignitaries from across the Caribbean, including representatives from Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Montserrat, Saint Martin, and Saint Vincent. He highlighted the transatlantic slave trade as a historical experience that has bound Nigeria and the OECS together, forging a resilient cultural identity and a legacy of shared aspirations.
In terms of economic diplomacy, President Tinubu called on OECS member states to take advantage of Nigeria’s vast market and abundant natural resources. He encouraged joint ventures in agriculture, manufacturing, and services and described Nigeria as both a supplier of essential inputs and a growing destination for Caribbean exports.
“When I assumed the Office of the President of Nigeria in May 2023, my administration embarked on a series of economic, political, and social reforms aimed at laying a solid foundation for a better Nigeria and placing the country on a path of sustainable development,” the President stated.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, investment, education, health, climate resilience, and cultural exchange, noting that the new relationship with the OECS will be based on mutual respect and shared goals. According to him, the visit to Saint Lucia was not only symbolic but strategic, reflecting Nigeria’s desire to create real partnerships rooted in a common heritage.
President Tinubu concluded by expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, Governor-General Cyril Charles, the OECS leadership, and the people of Saint Lucia for their warm hospitality. The Nigerian leader affirmed that this renewed diplomatic engagement marks the beginning of a more unified and prosperous relationship between Nigeria and its Caribbean brothers and sisters.
