The Presidency has affirmed that President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing visit to Saint Lucia is a purposeful diplomatic and cultural engagement, not a holiday.
In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the government addressed some misinformed criticisms from Nigerians, clarifying the visit’s importance.
The statement emphasized that the visit is designed to revive Nigeria’s ancestral and strategic ties with Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
“From Saint Lucia’s perspective, President Tinubu’s visit ushers in a new era of diplomatic, cultural, and economic cooperation between our nations,” the statement said.
Saint Lucia, like many Caribbean nations, shares deep ancestral links with Nigeria. Nigerian immigrants settled in Saint Lucia in the mid-19th century, bringing cultural and religious traditions that continue to thrive.
Citizens of Saint Lucia warmly welcome the visit as an opportunity to strengthen connections with African countries tied by heritage.
The visit aligns with Nigeria’s Four D’s foreign policy framework Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography and fits within the broader South-South cooperation agenda.
As headquarters of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and gateway to 15 CARICOM members with a combined GDP of over $130 billion, Saint Lucia is a crucial partner in regional trade.
Onanuga recalled historic ties, highlighting figures such as Sir Darnley Alexander, a Saint Lucian who served as Nigeria’s Chief Justice (1975–1979), Neville Skeete, who contributed to Nigeria’s Central Bank headquarters design, and Michael Alexander, a frontline medical officer during the Nigerian civil war all symbols of the enduring bond between the two nations.
Culturally, the visit supports the African Union’s Sixth Region initiative, recognizing the African diaspora as vital development partners. Nigerian cultural exports like Afrobeats, Nollywood, and literature have left a significant imprint on Saint Lucia and the Caribbean.
Just before Tinubu’s arrival, Nigerian music dominated the Gros Islet Street Party, one of Saint Lucia’s premier cultural festivals, showcasing Nigeria’s growing cultural influence.
Democratically, Saint Lucia’s stable parliamentary system resonates with Nigeria’s 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance. A Saint Lucian commentator described Tinubu upon arrival as a “fighter for democracy.”
With Nigeria projected to become the world’s third most populous country by 2050, President Tinubu has highlighted the country’s youthful population as a catalyst for economic transformation through education, industrialization, and innovation.
During the visit, Tinubu will tour Sir Arthur Lewis Community College to foster educational collaboration.
The Nigerian delegation includes members of the Technical Aid Corps, who provide professional expertise in ACP countries, reinforcing cooperation through skills and knowledge transfer.
Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister will host a reception for the Nigerian community, offering a platform for direct engagement with the President and his team, further strengthening bilateral relations.
Since gaining independence in 1979, Saint Lucia has received fewer than 10 official state visits. The last African leader to visit was President Nelson Mandela in 1998. Tinubu’s visit thus represents a historic diplomatic milestone after 27 years.
President Tinubu is also scheduled to address a joint session of Saint Lucia’s bicameral Parliament at the Sandals Grande Saint Lucian Conference Hall.
The Presidency urged Nigerians to recognize the visit as a deliberate diplomatic and cultural mission advancing Nigeria’s global interests not a vacation as some critics have suggested.
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