The Presidency has shed light on the reasons behind President Bola Tinubu’s historic state visit to Saint Lucia, describing it as a strategic diplomatic mission designed to strengthen ancestral, economic, cultural, and diaspora ties between Nigeria and the Caribbean nation.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Presidency dismissed what it called “misguided and uninformed” commentary about the visit. It stressed that the trip aligns with Nigeria’s foreign policy goals, particularly its commitment to South-South cooperation.
“From Saint Lucia’s perspective, President Tinubu’s visit rekindles ancestral bonds and opens new doors for diplomatic, cultural, and economic collaboration between our countries,” the statement noted.
The visit comes as Saint Lucia — home to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and an influential member of the 15-nation CARICOM bloc — seeks stronger ties with Africa. With CARICOM’s combined GDP exceeding $130 billion, the region presents fresh opportunities for trade, development partnerships, and cultural exchange.
Onanuga highlighted the deep-rooted connections between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, pointing out that many Saint Lucians trace their ancestry to Nigeria, dating back to 19th-century migration patterns. He said Tinubu’s visit resonates with the people of Saint Lucia and marks a renewal of ties built on shared history.
The visit also honours prominent figures symbolising the Nigeria–Saint Lucia connection, such as the late Sir Darnley Alexander, a Saint Lucian-born jurist who served as Nigeria’s Chief Justice from 1975 to 1979, and his son, Michael Alexander, who was a doctor in the Nigerian Army during the civil war.
Culturally, Nigeria’s influence is already felt in Saint Lucia, with Afrobeats music dominating events like the Gros Islet Street Party on the eve of Tinubu’s arrival — a reflection of Nigeria’s growing soft power in the Caribbean.
According to Onanuga, the visit supports Nigeria’s “Four D’s” foreign policy pillars: Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography. It also advances the African Union’s Sixth Region initiative, which positions the African diaspora as a key partner in the continent’s development.
Tinubu’s itinerary includes addressing a special joint session of Saint Lucia’s bicameral Parliament at the Sandals Grande Conference Hall, visiting the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, and interacting with the Nigerian community at a reception hosted by the Prime Minister. The delegation also includes members of Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps (TAC), a programme that deploys Nigerian professionals to support development efforts across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
Onanuga described the visit as rare and historic, noting that Saint Lucia has hosted fewer than 10 state visits since its independence in 1979. The last African leader to visit was Nelson Mandela in 1998. Tinubu’s visit, 27 years later, marks a significant milestone in reviving the Afro-Caribbean connection and strengthening Nigeria’s international partnerships.
