President Bola Tinubu and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre of Saint Lucia have agreed to formalize diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Caribbean nation, marking a significant step in strengthening ties between Africa and the Caribbean.
The agreement was reached during President Tinubu’s courtesy visit to Prime Minister Pierre at his official residence in Castries, as part of the Nigerian leader’s state visit to Saint Lucia.
President Tinubu expressed appreciation for the warm reception given to him and his delegation, describing the people of Saint Lucia as “valued friends and brothers.” According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the president emphasized the deep historical and cultural bonds linking Africa and the Caribbean.
“Our two nations are bound by history, culture, and shared aspirations. We are committed to deepening this relationship,” Tinubu said, adding that Nigeria and Saint Lucia will collaborate in areas such as trade, investment, tourism, education, and culture, while also improving consular services for their citizens.
He described the initiative as a bridge between Africa and the Caribbean that would promote economic cooperation, mutual understanding, and sustainable development.
President Tinubu also reiterated Nigeria’s willingness to work with Saint Lucia on global challenges including climate change, disaster response, and development financing. He affirmed Nigeria’s support for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in international forums.
Prime Minister Pierre welcomed the move and highlighted the strong foundation laid by discussions between the two countries’ foreign ministers. He recalled the contribution of Saint Lucian jurist Sir Darnley Alexander, who served as Nigeria’s Chief Justice from 1975 to 1979, as a symbol of the long-standing ties between both nations.
He identified key sectors for collaboration, including agriculture, tourism, education, health, infrastructure, and cultural exchange. Saint Lucia’s global recognition in arts and music, particularly the annual Jazz and Arts Festival, was presented as an opportunity for partnership with Nigeria’s booming entertainment industry.
“The cultural connections between us are deep and undeniable. There is great potential for people-to-people exchange,” Pierre noted.
He also praised Nigeria’s educational achievements and expressed a desire to enhance cooperation in the sector, highlighting his government’s goal of achieving one university graduate per household.
Pierre emphasized the importance of South-South cooperation, especially amid growing global uncertainty. “There is a need for countries in the Global South to strengthen and establish partnerships. Saint Lucia seeks to build such a relationship with Nigeria,” he said.
President Tinubu also met with the Governor-General of Saint Lucia, Cyril Charles, where they discussed shared Commonwealth ties and opportunities for cooperation on climate change, technical assistance, and economic development.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to championing the interests of smaller nations and pledged to explore opportunities for expanding trade and investment, especially in agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing.
