Presidency Slams Critics, Says Tinubu’s Saint Lucia Visit Is Strategic, Rekindles African-Caribbean Ties
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing state visit to Saint Lucia is a historic diplomatic milestone aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s ties with the Caribbean nation, the presidency has said, while dismissing “misguided, mischievous, and uninformed” criticism of the trip by some Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said the visit aligns with Nigeria’s “Four D’s” foreign policy thrust—Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography—and furthers the African Union’s Sixth Region agenda, which recognises the African diaspora as a development partner.
“First, from the perspective of the Government of Saint Lucia, the visit by the Nigerian leader paves the way for the rekindling of our ancestral bonds, igniting a new era of diplomatic, cultural, and economic possibilities between our nations,” the statement noted.
The presidency highlighted Saint Lucia’s deep ancestral links with Nigeria, citing waves of Nigerian migrants who settled in the island nation in the 19th century. According to the statement, residents of Saint Lucia have expressed excitement over Tinubu’s visit and a strong desire to strengthen ancestral and diplomatic ties with Africa.
The island nation, which serves as the headquarters of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and a gateway to the 15-member CARICOM bloc—with a combined GDP of over $130 billion—offers key economic and diplomatic opportunities, Onanuga said.
The statement recalled the contributions of Saint Lucian nationals to Nigeria’s development, most notably Sir Darnley Alexander, a Castries-born jurist who served as Nigeria’s Chief Justice from 1975 to 1979, and Neville Skeete, an architect involved in designing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s headquarters.
Sir Darnley’s son, Michael Alexander, was also recognised for serving as a frontline medical officer during Nigeria’s civil war.
Tinubu’s visit, the presidency noted, is also a celebration of Nigeria’s growing cultural influence in the Caribbean. Onanuga said that Afrobeats and Nigerian music dominated airwaves at the famed Gros Islet Street Party, the Friday before Tinubu’s arrival—a testament to “Nigeria’s growing soft power and cultural footprint.”
“Nigeria actively fosters cultural exchange through collaboration in education, culture, and heritage preservation. Our cultural exports, including Afrobeats, Nollywood, and literature, are already making a significant impact on Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean, enriching our shared cultural landscape,” the statement said.
Onanuga further described Saint Lucia as a “natural ally” in democratic values, citing the country’s stable parliamentary democracy and recalling that during the live broadcast of Tinubu’s arrival on local television, a commentator hailed the Nigerian leader as a “fighter for democracy.”
The visit will also feature a strategic stop at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, where President Tinubu is expected to explore educational partnerships. The inclusion of Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (TAC) officials in the delegation, the statement said, underscores Nigeria’s commitment to international capacity-building and technical cooperation across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
President Tinubu is also scheduled to address a special joint session of Saint Lucia’s bicameral Parliament, to be held at the Sandals Grande Saint Lucian Conference Hall, a venue named after former U.S. President Bill Clinton, who visited the island in 2003.
Describing the trip as a “rare and historic” event, the presidency pointed out that Saint Lucia has hosted fewer than 10 official state visits since its independence in 1979, with the last African head of state to visit being Nelson Mandela in 1998.
The visit will conclude with a reception at the official residence of the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, where President Tinubu is expected to meet members of the Nigerian community.
According to the presidency, “the visit supports the African Union’s Sixth Region agenda, which identifies the African diaspora as a key development partner”.
(SaharaReporters)
