Tinubu Begins Caribbean Diplomacy with Arrival in Saint Lucia
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has arrived in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, marking the beginning of his official tour through the Caribbean and South America. He was formally welcomed with full military honors at Hewanorra International Airport on Saturday evening.
The presidential delegation was received by the Governor-General of Saint Lucia, His Excellency Errol Melchiades Charles, and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, according to Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga. Tinubu’s itinerary includes a series of high-level engagements aimed at strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between Nigeria and Caribbean nations.
On Sunday, Tinubu is set to pay courtesy visits to both the Governor-General and the Prime Minister. The following day, he will address a joint session of Saint Lucia’s Senate and House of Assembly at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom in Gros Islet. The address is expected to include heads of government from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), senior Saint Lucian officials, diplomatic corps members, and the Nigerian diaspora in Saint Lucia, among others.
A working luncheon with OECS leaders will follow, during which Tinubu is likely to discuss deepening trade and investment cooperation. His program also includes a visit to Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries, intended to foster educational partnerships and student exchange programs between Nigeria and Saint Lucia.
This visit reflects Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to engaging the African diaspora in the Caribbean, under the African Union’s “Sixth Region” policy. Analysts note the significance of consolidating ties between Africa and the Caribbean, particularly in trade, education, and cultural collaboration.
Following his Saint Lucia engagements, President Tinubu is scheduled to travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to attend the 17th BRICS Summit from July 6–7. Invited by Brazilian President Lula da Silva, Tinubu will represent Nigeria as a BRICS “partner country,” a status reflecting strengthened relations with BRICS nations. The summit’s key themes include bolstering South-South cooperation and creating inclusive, sustainable frameworks for governance and economic growth.
While the visit has spawned criticism at home—most notably from opposition leader Peter Obi, who has questioned the timing amid domestic challenges—official statements have emphasized the strategic and long-term benefits of deepening ties with Caribbean countries.
As President Tinubu’s tour unfolds, the outcomes of these diplomatic and educational engagements may shape Nigeria’s global partnerships and contribute significantly to its international presence.
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