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The Presidency defended President Bola Tinubu’s current state visit to Saint Lucia on Sunday, characterizing it as a significant diplomatic and cultural endeavor.
The visit is said to be revitalizing Nigeria’s ancestral and strategic connections with the Caribbean country and the broader CARICOM community.
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Presidency addressed “misguided, mischievous, and uninformed comments” made by some Nigerians regarding President Tinubu’s important visit to Saint Lucia, emphasizing the need to clarify its purpose.
The statement, titled ‘Why President Tinubu is on a state visit to Saint Lucia,’ noted that from Saint Lucia's perspective, the visit facilitates the restoration of historical bonds and opens up new avenues for diplomatic, cultural, and economic collaboration between the two nations.
Onanuga pointed out that many Caribbean countries, including Saint Lucia, have profound ancestral connections to West Africa, particularly Nigeria.
The statement highlighted that in the mid-19th century, a group of immigrants from what is now Nigeria settled in Saint Lucia, bringing cultural and religious customs that continue today.
The citizens of Saint Lucia expressed their enthusiasm for President Tinubu's choice to visit, as they are eager to strengthen their ties with African nations sharing ancestral links.
The Presidency framed the visit as a crucial effort under the South-South cooperation framework and Nigeria’s Four D’s foreign policy strategy: Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography.
It emphasized that Saint Lucia serves as the headquarters of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and a gateway to the 15 CARICOM member states, which collectively have a GDP exceeding $130 billion—an important figure in South-South trade discussions.
Onanuga recalled key historical connections between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, notably the contributions of Sir Darnley Alexander, who served as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1975 to 1979.
The statement also pointed out that Alexander, a Saint Lucian, first came to Nigeria in 1957 as a legal draftsman, advancing through various legal positions until he became Chief Justice.
Additionally, the contributions of other notable Saint Lucians, like Neville Skeete, who helped design the Central Bank of Nigeria headquarters, were highlighted, along with the legacy of Alexander’s son Michael, who served as a medical officer during the Nigerian civil war.
On the cultural side, the Presidency indicated that Tinubu’s visit aligns with the African Union’s Sixth Region agenda, recognizing the African diaspora as a vital development partner.
"Nigeria actively promotes cultural exchanges through collaboration in education, culture, and heritage preservation," it added, mentioning the impact of Nigerian cultural exports like Afrobeats and Nollywood in Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean.
The statement noted that the Gros Islet Street Party, one of Saint Lucia's most famous cultural events held every Friday for over 50 years, recently featured significant Nigerian music before President Tinubu's arrival, underscoring Nigeria’s expanding cultural influence.
On democratic principles, the Presidency asserted that “Saint Lucia is a stable parliamentary democracy, making it a natural ally for Nigeria, which has experienced 26 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.”
A Saint Lucian commentator referred to Tinubu as a "fighter for democracy" during the live coverage of his arrival.
Discussing Nigeria's growing population, the statement mentioned projections indicating that Nigeria could become the third most populous country globally by 2050.
It highlighted President Tinubu's consistent emphasis on the potential of Nigeria's young population to drive economic transformation through education, industrialization, and innovation. As part of his agenda, President Tinubu is expected to visit the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College to enhance educational collaborations.
The delegation also includes members of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, who provide professional services in ACP countries. "This support is facilitated by deploying Nigerian professionals to meet specific needs in recipient countries," Onanuga clarified.
The statement added that Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister is set to host a reception for the Nigerian community, offering them an opportunity to meet the President and his delegation.
"This event allows the Nigerian community to engage with their President and discuss matters of mutual concern, further solidifying the connection between the two nations," the Presidency stated.
Since gaining independence in 1979, Saint Lucia has received fewer than 10 official state visits, with the last by an African leader being President Nelson Mandela in 1998 for the 19th CARICOM Heads of Government Summit. Thus, President Tinubu’s visit, occurring 27 years later in 2025, is framed as a historic diplomatic achievement.
His itinerary also includes a special address to a joint session of Saint Lucia’s bicameral Parliament. "President Tinubu will deliver a speech to a special joint session of Saint Lucia’s bicameral Parliament at the Sandals Grande Saint Lucian Conference Hall, named after former U.S. President Bill Clinton," Onanuga revealed.
The statement concluded by underscoring the visit's significance and calling on Nigerians to recognize it for what it truly represents—a strategic, historic engagement.
"President Tinubu’s visit is not a vacation, as misinterpreted by critics, but rather a diplomatic and cultural outreach that advances Nigeria’s interests and enriches its global partnerships," it stated.
