President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, June 30, 2025, officially announced the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, calling it a “symbolic bridge” to foster stronger ties between both nations and the broader Eastern Caribbean region.
Speaking at a special joint session of the Senate and House of Assembly of Saint Lucia held at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, Gros Islet, Tinubu highlighted several initiatives aimed at deepening cooperation between Nigeria and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
Proposals for Strategic Collaboration
President Tinubu proposed the formation of a Joint Commission or a Political Consultation Agreement as a structured platform to guide bilateral engagements. He also suggested collaboration between maritime universities and the extension of Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps (TAC) to OECS member countries.
“I advocate for educational exchange programmes between Nigerian and OECS maritime universities to build technical capacity and promote academic collaboration,” Tinubu said. He further encouraged joint scientific research, particularly in health, and the formalisation of agreements outlining key areas of cooperation in education and research.
Scholarships and Cultural Exchange
To promote cultural understanding and strengthen ties, Tinubu announced full scholarships for students from OECS countries to study in Nigeria. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to providing skilled professionals in education, healthcare, and engineering to support the region’s development.
Visa Waiver and People-to-People Engagement
Tinubu declared Nigeria’s openness to granting visa waivers for OECS diplomatic and official passport holders and called for reciprocal measures to ease official travel and enhance institutional cooperation.
In attendance were leaders from OECS nations including Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Montserrat, Saint Martin, and Saint Vincent.
Shared Heritage and Pan-African Solidarity
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu underscored Nigeria’s commitment to rekindling historic and cultural bonds with the OECS and other Caribbean nations.
“As one who feels a profound kinship with our shared African heritage, I recognise the historical forces—such as the transatlantic slave trade and colonial subjugation—that have shaped our collective identity,” Tinubu stated. “My presence here signals Nigeria’s renewed dedication to these enduring ties.”
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s Pan-African foreign policy, rooted in Black solidarity and mutual advancement, noting Nigeria’s past leadership in the African Union and its continued advocacy for the global Black community.
Economic Cooperation and Trade
On economic diplomacy, President Tinubu invited OECS nations to leverage access to Africa’s largest market. He called for deeper trade and investment ties, particularly in agriculture, manufacturing, and services. He encouraged joint ventures that would benefit both regions.
“When I assumed office in May 2023, I initiated wide-ranging reforms to place Nigeria on a sustainable growth path. This visit to Saint Lucia aligns with that agenda and reflects our desire to explore new areas of cooperation,” he said.
Tinubu also identified opportunities in natural resources, investment promotion, and export growth, saying, “Together, we can attract investment, create jobs, and foster partnerships that deliver mutual prosperity.”
Climate Resilience and Joint Research
Acknowledging the existential threat climate change poses to small island states, Tinubu proposed collaborative research on sustainable agriculture, disaster preparedness, and climate-induced migration.
“By sharing research on sea-level rise, hurricanes, and adaptation strategies, we can collectively build resilience,” he emphasized.
A Cultural and Creative Powerhouse
Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s global leadership in arts and culture, referencing Nollywood, Afrobeat, literature, cuisine, and fashion. He said Nigeria holds a special place in the memory of the African diaspora, being both a cultural hub and a historical source of enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade.
“Nigeria, as the largest Black nation globally, has consistently championed Black dignity and progress, from fighting colonialism to advancing Pan-Africanism,” he stated.
A Call for Unity
Concluding his address before an audience of over 300—comprising OECS Heads of Government, diplomats, and members of the Nigerian community—President Tinubu invoked the words of Pan-African leader Marcus Garvey and an African proverb.
“Marcus Garvey once said, ‘Get organised and you will compel the world to respect you.’ His words remain as powerful today,” he said. “And as the African proverb goes, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ Let us go far, together.”
