The Presidency on Sunday defended President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing state visit to Saint Lucia, describing it as a historic and strategic engagement aimed at strengthening diplomatic and cultural ties between Nigeria and the Caribbean.
In a statement titled “Why President Tinubu is on a State Visit to Saint Lucia”, Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the visit is part of efforts to rekindle Nigeria’s ancestral connections with Saint Lucia and other CARICOM nations.
Reacting to what it called “misguided, mischievous, and uninformed” criticisms from some Nigerians, the Presidency said the visit underscores Nigeria’s commitment to global South-South cooperation and its foreign policy anchored on the “Four Ds” — Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography.
“From the perspective of Saint Lucia, President Tinubu’s visit opens a new era of diplomatic, cultural, and economic cooperation,” the statement read. It also noted that the Caribbean nation has deep historical and ancestral ties to Nigeria, dating back to the mid-19th century when Nigerian migrants settled there, leaving lasting cultural and religious influences.
Saint Lucia, the headquarters of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), serves as a gateway to the 15-member CARICOM bloc, which has a combined GDP of over $130 billion. Strengthening these ties, the Presidency argued, has significant potential for trade, cultural exchange, and political cooperation.
The statement also highlighted historical ties between the two nations, particularly the career of Sir Darnley Alexander, a Saint Lucian-born jurist who served as Nigeria’s Chief Justice from 1975 to 1979. Others include Neville Skeete, who contributed to designing the Central Bank of Nigeria headquarters, and Michael Alexander, a frontline medical officer during the Nigerian Civil War.
President Tinubu’s visit is also seen as aligned with the African Union’s Sixth Region Initiative, which recognizes the African diaspora as a key partner in development. The Presidency noted the growing influence of Nigerian culture in Saint Lucia, with Afrobeats and Nollywood enjoying popularity. “During the Gros Islet Street Party, a major cultural event held weekly for over 50 years, Nigerian music dominated the airwaves ahead of the President’s arrival,” the statement added.
The Presidency emphasized the shared democratic values between the two countries, noting that both are stable democracies. A Saint Lucian commentator reportedly hailed President Tinubu as a “fighter for democracy” during the live coverage of his arrival.
Onanuga also highlighted Nigeria’s demographic advantage, noting that the country is projected to become the third most populous nation by 2050. He said President Tinubu remains committed to turning this youthful population into an engine for innovation, education, and economic transformation.
As part of his itinerary, President Tinubu is expected to visit the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College to deepen educational ties. He is also accompanied by members of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, who are working in Saint Lucia and other ACP countries to provide professional services.
The visit will also feature a reception hosted by the Saint Lucian Prime Minister, bringing together the Nigerian community on the island for an interactive session with the President and his delegation.
Saint Lucia, which gained independence in 1979, has hosted fewer than ten official state visits. The last by an African leader was Nelson Mandela in 1998 during the 19th CARICOM Heads of Government Summit.