Nigeria, Saint Lucia Forge Ties, Tinubu Considers Visa Waivers for OECS

•Saint Lucian Senate President: 34% of enslaved Saint Lucians two centuries back were Nigerians

•Prime Minister describes Tinubu’s state visit as moment of freedom and celebration

Deji Elumoye and Michael Olugbode in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu formally announced Nigeria’s establishment of diplomatic relations with Saint Lucia, yesterday, describing it as a “symbolic bridge that will provide a gateway in fostering closer ties between us.”.

Tinubu made the announcement while addressing a special joint session of Senate and House of Assembly of Saint Lucia at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia.

He proposed creating a Joint Commission or Political Consultation Agreement as a mechanism for structured cooperation between Nigeria and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Tinubu also announced that he would offer full scholarships to students of OECS to promote cultural understanding and further strengthen the bond between Nigeria and the Eastern Caribbean states.

The Nigerian president, who delivered his address in the presence of OECS leaders, emphasised the deep historical and cultural bonds between Nigeria and OECS, and called for greater people-to-people engagement.

The leaders of Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Premier of Montserrat, Saint Martin, and Saint Vincent were in the audience.

Tinubu declared Nigeria’s openness to visa waivers for OECS diplomatic and official passport holders, and urged reciprocal gestures to facilitate smoother official travel and closer institutional cooperation.

“I respectfully urge a reciprocal gesture to enable smoother movement of officials and foster closer institutional cooperation,” he said.

Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening ties with OECS and Caribbean nations anchored on shared African heritage and Pan-African ideals.

According to him, “As one who feels a profound kinship with our shared African heritage, I am fully aware of the historical currents that have bound us together, currents shaped by the transatlantic slave trade and colonial subjugation, but out of which emerged a shared cultural identity, an indomitable resilience and a legacy of aspiration.

“My presence here today symbolises Nigeria’s renewed commitment to re-engage with these enduring ties, recognising their strategic and emotional significance.

“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.

“It is in this context that I reaffirm OECS as a cherished partner of Nigeria. We remain committed to strengthening and expanding the enduring bonds of friendship that unite our regions.”

On economic diplomacy and trade, Tinubu offered OECS access to Africa’s largest market and called for joint ventures and deeper commercial ties.

He advocated enhanced trade and investment partnerships, especially in agriculture, manufacturing, and services, that would position Nigeria as a supplier and destination for OECS exports.

He stated, “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, which were aimed at laying a solid foundation for the promotion of a better Nigeria and to put the country on the path of sustainable growth and development.

“It is in line with this orientation and to explore areas of cooperation and collaboration between the East Caribbean States that I decided to undertake this state visit to Saint Lucia.

“In this spirit, I wish to express Nigeria’s readiness to deepen cooperation with the OECS in mutual interest, including trade, investment, health, culture, education, and climate resilience.

“Nigeria’s vast natural resources and position as the largest market in Africa present significant opportunities for the OECS, both as a source of essential inputs and a growing export destination.

“Together, we can leverage our respective strengths to attract investment, create jobs, and foster joint ventures that benefit both our peoples.”

Tinubu proposed a maritime university collaboration and extending Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps (TAC) programme to OECS countries.

He emphasised Nigeria’s readiness to provide skilled manpower, healthcare, and engineering professionals to support regional capacity-building.

He said, “I strongly advocate for educational exchange programmes between Nigerian and OECS maritime universities. Such partnerships will build technical capacity and foster mutual understanding and long-term academic collaboration.

“Beyond maritime education, both regions should explore joint scientific research initiatives, particularly addressing common health challenges. To structure these efforts, we should formalise agreements that clearly define key areas of cooperation in education and research.”

Recognising the existential climate threats facing small island states, the president called for joint research on adaptation strategies, sustainable agriculture, disaster preparedness, and climate-induced migration.

“By sharing research findings on climate impacts, adaptation strategies, and disaster risk management—including a rise in sea level and outbreak of hurricanes—we can deepen our understanding and enhance our collective resilience,” he added.

Reiterating Nigeria’s Afrocentric foreign policy, Tinubu emphasised the cultural and historical ties between Nigeria and the diaspora and its enduring role in global black solidarity.

He stressed, “Nigeria, as the most populous nation on the African continent and the foremost black nation globally, has long stood at the vanguard of advocacy for the dignity and advancement of black people worldwide.

“This was evident from its strong opposition to colonialism and racial injustice, to its leadership in the Pan-African movement.

“Our foreign policy remains unapologetically Afrocentric. Notably, Nigeria played an instrumental role in establishing the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union, which has since embraced the Caribbean and the broader diaspora as its sixth region.”

Tinubu told the audience of over 300 people at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, which included OECS Heads of Government, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and the Nigerian community in Saint Lucia, “Aside from its demographic and economic prominence in Africa, Nigeria has a rich history of enduring contributions to the advancement of the black race.

“It is home to the largest diaspora community of African descent and situated in West Africa, from whence countless enslaved Africans were tragically taken.

“My country holds a special place in the collective memory of the diaspora.

“Culturally, Nigeria is regarded as the continent’s creative heart, with its rich array of ethnicities and globally celebrated traditions in music, cuisine, fashion, film (notably Nollywood) and literature.”

While calling for unity, Tinubu quoted Marcus Garvey and an African proverb.

He said, “As we chart the course forward, I am reminded of the words of Marcus Garvey: ‘Get organised and you will compel the world to respect you.’ His charge remains as resonant now as it was first made.”

“Likewise, an African proverb teaches us: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ Let us journey together, united in purpose and fortified by our common heritage.”

On his part, President of the Saint Lucian Senate, Alvina Reynolds, underscored Nigeria’s and Saint Lucian ancestral links by quoting the result of a British census conducted on the island in 1815, which showed that most of the residents came from Nigeria.

According to Reynolds, “Of the 16,282 enslaved people in Saint Lucia that year, 3,488 were born in Africa. Of these, 34 per cent were from Nigeria, 11 per cent from Nigeria-Cameroon, and 22 per cent from the Congo. The remaining 12,794 were born in Saint Lucia, with most of their forefathers coming from Senegambia and Nigeria.”

She reeled out the figures in her address as she welcomed Tinubu to the joint session of the Lucian bicameral parliament yesterday.

Reynolds said Tinubu’s presence was historic for the parliament and the people of Saint Lucia.

She stated that the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, which spanned more than 350 years, forged an unbreakable historical and cultural link between Africa and the Caribbean.

The senate president described Tinubu’s arrival as the rekindling of “a mission to reunite us with our homeland and for our people to work together”.

She also paid tribute to one of Saint Lucia’s most distinguished sons, Sir Darnley Alexander. Alexander journeyed to Nigeria in 1957 and rose through the legal ranks to become the Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1975 to 1979—the only non-Nigerian to hold the office in Nigeria’s post-independence history.

Reynolds stated, “This mission, Your Excellency, continues with Catholic priests from Nigeria who have answered the call and come to Saint Lucia to serve, one of whom is our special guest this morning—Father Festus.

“Your address to this parliament today could not have occurred at a more auspicious time, for today is World Parliament Day—an occasion to reflect on the essential role of Parliament and the service we provide as representatives to our people.”

Recognising Tinubu’s long-standing role in defending democracy and championing good governance in Nigeria, Reynolds said, “Given your fights, Mr. President, in the past for democratic government in your country, it is a further honour to have you and the Heads of Government of the OECS Member States observe this day with us.”

Responding to Tinubu’s speech, also, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre described the state visit as a moment of “freedom and celebration” and a powerful symbol of the enduring spiritual and cultural bond between the Caribbean and Africa.

Pierre noted the deep ancestral and emotional ties between the people of Saint Lucia and West Africa, describing Saint Lucia as “a small fragment of Africa”, where the “genetic Nigerian connection cannot be erased, and a shared cultural chord cannot be broken.”

He stated, “Our people have been separated, but nothing has ever been able to separate us spiritually and culturally from West Africa, where some of our ancestors came from and for whom our hearts continually yearn.

“We are African people who have made permanent homes for ourselves on this side of the Atlantic, on the hills and valleys of the plantations on which we were enslaved… But we have built these homes, Mr. President, not for ourselves, but in the service of all humanity, especially Africa, in whose direction we continually watch, wait, hope and pray for our future redemption.”

Comparing the sizes of both nations, the prime minister humorously said Saint Lucia’s population was smaller than that of Eti-Osa Local Government Area in Lagos State. But he affirmed the island’s pride as a sovereign nation “with a heart and spirit deeply connected to the world, Nigeria, and West Africa”.

Pierre highlighted the invaluable contributions of the Nigerian community to the Saint Lucian society, especially in healthcare, religion, cuisine, tourism, and social development.

“We warmly welcome every Nigerian hand of support and embrace with gratitude their contributions to Saint Lucia’s cultural, social, and economic development. We are the richer for it,” he said.

Underscoring the deep literary and historical ties between the two countries, Pierre recalled the legacy of Nobel laureates, Wole Soyinka and Derek Walcott, and the contribution of Saint Lucian-born jurist, Sir Darnley Alexander, who served as Nigeria’s Chief Justice from 1975 to 1979.

He said, “Mr. President, your visit here today is coming exactly 27 years after the visit of Nelson Mandela. And 27 years is exactly the length of time Mandela spent in prison. So today is a day of freedom and celebration,”

Reflecting on the relatively slow pace of Africa-Caribbean cooperation, the prime minister expressed optimism for change, especially following the inaugural Africa-CARICOM Summit in 2021. He expressed his readiness for the second summit scheduled for September in Addis Ababa.

Pierre stated, “Mr. President, I am pleased that following the first summit in 2021, we have committed ourselves to deeper relations… Saint Lucia looks forward to working with Nigeria at the Africa-CARICOM summit level as we work towards the joint development of our respective nations.”

The Saint Lucian leader outlined several key areas of cooperation, including tourism, air connectivity, creative industries, sports exchange, banking, fintech, renewable energy, and medical collaboration.

He stated that Saint Lucia hosted over one million tourists annually, but very few were from Nigeria due to the lack of direct air links between the two regions.

Pierre said, “Establishing an air link would benefit Saint Lucia’s tourism and the wider Caribbean… This connectivity would boost tourism and enhance trade and investment, deepen the people-to-people exchanges, and the spiritual and cultural links between our populations.”

Highlighting the role of culture and youth in rekindling ties, the prime minister cited the popularity of Nigerian Afrobeats, Nollywood films, and authors, like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, in Saint Lucia.

He said, “Today, the young people of Saint Lucia have rediscovered Afrobeats and Nigerian Nollywood films as the new vehicles through which they have reconnected to the African continent…

“Our appreciation of Nigerian musical taste and talent is deep, lasting and strong.”

He proposed concrete partnerships in the creative industries and sports development, especially football and cricket. He also urged Nigerian investors and fintech companies to explore opportunities in Saint Lucia’s robust banking sector.

Pierre welcomed Nigerian doctors, nurses, and specialists to support Saint Lucia’s ageing population and strengthen its healthcare system.

He added, “I am told that an Agreement of Technical Manpower Assistance will be signed with the Ministry of Health regarding our exchange of medical personnel from Nigeria. I look forward to its implementation.

“Mr. President, I hope this will not be your last visit. I look forward to visiting Nigeria in the near future… and continuing to work with you as we advance the work of the Africa-CARICOM summit later this year in Ethiopia.”

The joint session was attended by dignitaries and leaders from across OECS, including Hon. Chet Greene, Representative of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda; and Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

Other dignitaries included the Hon. Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada; the Hon. Reuben Meade, Premier of Montserrat; David Davis, Representative of the Government of Saint Marti; and Hon. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, held a bilateral meeting with Minister for External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation, and Diaspora Affairs of Saint Lucia, Alva Romanus Baptiste, to explore new frontiers of cooperation and mutual engagement.

Tuggar, at the meeting, underscored the deep historical and cultural bonds between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, rooted in African ancestry, the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, and shared British colonial heritage. He said these ties formed a firm foundation for renewed diplomatic and cultural engagement.

He welcomed the anticipated formalisation of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, stating that the Nigerian High Commission in Port of Spain currently provides interim diplomatic and consular coverage for Saint Lucia.

The minister emphasised that the establishment of official diplomatic ties would serve as a vital platform for enhancing bilateral and multilateral collaboration between Nigeria and Caribbean nations, particularly within the OECS and CARICOM frameworks.

Tuggar, in furtherance of practical cooperation, proposed the development of a structured partnership between Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) and Saint Lucia’s Political and Economic Cooperation Development Division.

He said that would involve, “The deployment of Nigerian professionals in sectors, such as health, education, agriculture, and technical services; the exchange of best practices in governance, youth empowerment, and institutional capacity-building; and the design of joint capacity development initiatives that can serve as models for broader Africa–Caribbean collaboration.”

He also encouraged both countries to explore opportunities in education diplomacy, including scholarships, academic exchanges, and collaborative research programmes that foster stronger people-to-people linkages.

Recognising both countries’ shared vulnerability to environmental threats, Tuggar emphasised the importance of cooperation on climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and access to climate finance, and stated Nigeria’s commitment to supporting Saint Lucia’s efforts as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS).

He reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to champion the concerns of Saint Lucia and other SIDS on global platforms, including the United Nations, the Commonwealth, and the African Union–CARICOM initiatives, as part of its commitment to inclusive international engagement.

Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, and Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, also attended the bilateral meeting.