…President to Address Parliament, Strengthen Nigeria-OECS Ties Ahead of BRICS Summit in Brazil
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday evening arrived in Saint Lucia to begin a historic two-nation diplomatic tour of the Caribbean and South America, aimed at strengthening economic, cultural, and educational ties between Nigeria and the region.
By Chimezie Godfrey
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday evening arrived in Saint Lucia to begin a historic two-nation diplomatic tour of the Caribbean and South America, aimed at strengthening economic, cultural, and educational ties between Nigeria and the region.
The President touched down at Hewanorra International Airport at 5:30 p.m. local time and was received with full military honours by Saint Lucia’s Governor-General, His Excellency Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre.
This marks President Tinubu’s first official visit to Saint Lucia and his first major engagement with the Caribbean community as part of Nigeria’s push to deepen ties with the African diaspora under the African Union’s Sixth Region framework.
“President Tinubu’s visit signifies Nigeria’s renewed commitment to building stronger partnerships with the Caribbean, rooted in shared history, cultural solidarity, and mutual economic interests,” said Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
According to the President’s itinerary, engagements will begin on Sunday with courtesy visits to the Governor-General and Prime Minister, followed by a major diplomatic highlight on Monday: an address to a special joint session of the Saint Lucian Senate and House of Assembly.
The parliamentary session will be held at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, Gros Islet, and will host top dignitaries, including Heads of Government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), members of the diplomatic corps, Nigerian nationals in Saint Lucia, and OECS Director-General, Dr Didacus Jules.
President Tinubu will also host a high-level working luncheon with OECS leaders, focusing on expanding Nigeria-Caribbean cooperation in trade, investment, and education.
In a strategic move to promote academic exchange, President Tinubu will visit the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries to explore opportunities for partnerships between Nigerian and Caribbean institutions.
“This visit goes beyond diplomacy—it is about creating tangible pathways for prosperity across the Atlantic,” a senior presidency official said, adding that discussions will centre on economic resilience, youth development, and cultural diplomacy.
President Tinubu’s Caribbean mission precedes his scheduled participation at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 6–7. He will attend the summit at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, under Nigeria’s upgraded status as a partner country — a level higher than guest status but below full membership.
The 2025 BRICS Summit, themed “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”, will bring together leaders from major emerging economies to discuss global development, climate action, and south-south trade cooperation.
Nigeria, alongside African BRICS members South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia, is expected to play a prominent role in shaping the continent’s collective voice within the Global South bloc.
President Tinubu’s twin-country tour is expected to not only deepen Nigeria’s diplomatic presence but also reinforce the country’s strategic leadership in fostering global cooperation between Africa and its diaspora.