The Nigerian Presidency on Sunday robustly defended President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing state visit to Saint Lucia, emphasizing that it is a landmark diplomatic and cultural mission rather than a vacation. According to a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the visit aims to rekindle Nigeria’s ancestral and strategic ties with Saint Lucia and the broader CARICOM community.
Okay.ng reports that the Presidency addressed what it described as “misguided, mischievous, and uninformed comments” by some Nigerians questioning the purpose of the visit. The statement, titled “Why President Tinubu is on a state visit to Saint Lucia,” highlights that from Saint Lucia’s perspective, the visit paves the way for renewing ancestral bonds and opening a new era of diplomatic, cultural, and economic cooperation.
Onanuga explained that Saint Lucia, like many Caribbean nations, has deep-rooted ancestral connections to West Africa, particularly Nigeria. “In the mid-19th century, a wave of immigrants from present-day Nigeria arrived in Saint Lucia, bringing cultural and religious practices that persist today,” the statement reads. The people of Saint Lucia are reportedly excited about President Tinubu’s visit, eager to strengthen ties with African nations sharing their heritage.
The Presidency framed the visit within Nigeria’s Four D’s foreign policy — Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography — and South-South cooperation. Saint Lucia serves as the headquarters of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and is a gateway to the 15 CARICOM member states, whose combined GDP exceeds $130 billion, underscoring the economic significance of the engagement.
Highlighting historical ties, the statement recalled Sir Darnley Alexander, a Saint Lucian who served as Nigeria’s Chief Justice from 1975 to 1979, illustrating the longstanding personal and institutional connections between the nations. Other notable Saint Lucians contributing to Nigeria include Neville Skeete, involved in designing the Central Bank of Nigeria headquarters, and Michael Alexander, a frontline medical officer during the Nigerian civil war.
Culturally, the visit aligns with the African Union’s Sixth Region agenda, recognizing the African diaspora as a vital development partner. Nigeria’s cultural exports—Afrobeats, Nollywood, and literature—have made significant inroads in Saint Lucia and the Caribbean. For instance, the Gros Islet Street Party, a famed Saint Lucian cultural event, recently featured Nigerian music prominently, reflecting Nigeria’s expanding soft power.
Democratically, Saint Lucia’s stable parliamentary system complements Nigeria’s 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance. The Presidency noted that a Saint Lucian commentator described President Tinubu as a “fighter for democracy” upon his arrival.
Demographically, Nigeria is projected to become the world’s third most populous country by 2050. President Tinubu has emphasized that Nigeria’s youthful population is a key driver of economic transformation through education, industrialization, and innovation. During the visit, Tinubu is scheduled to visit Sir Arthur Lewis Community College to deepen educational partnerships.
The Nigerian delegation includes members of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, providing professional services to ACP countries, exemplifying Nigeria’s commitment to mutual development.
Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister will host a reception for the Nigerian community, enabling direct interaction with the President and fostering bilateral ties. Saint Lucia, independent since 1979, has hosted fewer than ten official state visits, with the last African leader visitor being Nelson Mandela in 1998. Thus, Tinubu’s 2025 visit is a historic milestone.
President Tinubu will also address a special joint session of Saint Lucia’s bi-cameral Parliament at the Sandals Grande Conference Hall, named after former U.S. President Bill Clinton.
The Presidency concluded by urging Nigerians to recognize the visit as a strategic diplomatic and cultural outreach, not a vacation, aimed at advancing Nigeria’s interests and global partnerships.
