*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his address at a special joint session of the Senate and House of Assembly of Saint Lucia, declares Nigeria’s openness to visa waivers for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States’ diplomatic and official passport holders, urging reciprocal gestures to facilitate smoother official travel and closer institutional cooperation

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Monday, June 30, 2025, formally announced the establishment of diplomatic relations with Saint Lucia.

Tinubu described the development as a “symbolic bridge that will provide a gateway in fostering closer ties between us.”

绿帽献妻 reports the Nigerian President stated this while addressing a special joint session of the Senate and House of Assembly of Saint Lucia in the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia.

Tinubu, in his address delivered in the presence of leaders from the OECS,

proposed creation of a Joint Commission or Political Consultation Agreement as a mechanism for structured cooperation between Nigeria and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

He announced that the Nigerian Government would offer full scholarships to students of OECS, to promote cultural understanding that further strengthens the bond between Nigeria and the Eastern Caribbean states.

The President further emphasised the deep historical and cultural bonds between Nigeria and the OECS, and called for greater people-to-people engagement.

The leaders of Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, the Premier of Montserrat, Saint Martin and Saint Vincent were in the audience.

President Tinubu as well declared Nigeria’s openness to visa waivers for OECS diplomatic and official passport holders, and urged reciprocal gestures to facilitate smoother official travel and closer institutional cooperation.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Monday also stated President Tinubu said: ”I respectfully urge a reciprocal gesture to enable smoother movement of officials and foster closer institutional cooperation.”

Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening ties with OECS and Caribbean nations, anchored in shared African heritage and Pan-African ideals.

The President averred: ”As one who feels a profound kinship with our shared African heritage, I am fully aware of the historical currents that have bound us together, currents shaped by the transatlantic slave trade and colonial subjugation, but out of which emerged a shared cultural identity, an indomitable resilience and a legacy of aspiration.

”My presence here today symbolises Nigeria’s renewed commitment to re-engage with these enduring ties, recognising their strategic and emotional significance.”

He stated: “This occasion serves as a testament to the enduring ideals of Pan-Africanism and the unyielding desire for unity and collaboration among peoples of African descent.

”It is in this context that I reaffirm OECS as a cherished partner of Nigeria. We remain committed to strengthening and expanding the enduring bonds of friendship that unite our regions.”

Recommendations on economic diplomacy, trade

President Tinubu, in his address to an audience of over 300 people at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, which included OECS Heads of Government, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and the Nigerian community in Saint Lucia, also offered the OECS access to Africa’s largest market, advocating joint ventures and deeper commercial ties.

He urged enhanced trade and investment partnerships, especially in agriculture, manufacturing, and services, that would position Nigeria as a supplier and destination for OECS exports.

The President said: ”When I assumed the Office of the President of Nigeria in May 2023, my Administration embarked on a series of economic, political and social reforms which were aimed at laying a solid foundation for the promotion of a better Nigeria and to put the country on the path of sustainable growth and development.

”It is in line with this orientation and to explore areas of cooperation and collaboration between the East Caribbean States, that I decided to undertake this State Visit to Saint Lucia.”

Tinubu stated: ”In this spirit, I wish to express Nigeria’s readiness to deepen cooperation with the OECS in mutual interest, including trade, investment, health, culture, education, and climate resilience.

“Nigeria’s vast natural resources and position as the largest market in Africa present significant opportunities for the OECS, both as a source of essential inputs and a growing export destination.

”Together, we can leverage our respective strengths to attract investment, create jobs, and foster joint ventures that benefit both our peoples.”

The Nigerian leader further proposed a maritime university collaboration and extending Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps (TAC) programme to OECS countries.

He emphasised Nigeria’s readiness to provide skilled education, healthcare, and engineering professionals to support regional capacity-building.

Tinubu declared: “I strongly advocate educational exchange programmes between Nigerian and OECS maritime universities.

鈥淪uch partnerships will build technical capacity and foster mutual understanding and long-term academic collaboration.”

He explained: “Beyond maritime education, both regions should explore joint scientific research initiatives, particularly addressing common health challenges.

鈥淭o structure these efforts, we should formalise agreements that clearly define key areas of cooperation in education and research.”

Recognising the existential climate threats facing small island states, President Tinubu urged the creation of a joint research on adaptation strategies, sustainable agriculture, disaster preparedness, and climate-induced migration.

The President said: “By sharing research findings on climate impacts, adaptation strategies, and disaster risk management鈥攊ncluding a rise in sea level and outbreak of hurricanes鈥攚e can deepen our understanding and enhance our collective resilience.”

Reiterating Nigeria’s Afrocentric foreign policy, President Tinubu emphasised the cultural and historical ties between Nigeria and the Diaspora and its enduring role in global Black solidarity.

”Nigeria, as the most populous nation on the African continent and foremost Black nation globally, has long stood in the vanguard of advocacy for the dignity and advancement of Black people worldwide.

He recalled: ”This was evident from its strong opposition to colonialism and racial injustice, to its leadership in the Pan-African movement.

”Our foreign policy remains unapologetically Afrocentric.

“Notably, Nigeria played an instrumental role in establishing the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union, which has since embraced the Caribbean and the broader diaspora as its sixth region,” he said.

Tinubu stated: ”Aside from its demographic and economic prominence in Africa, Nigeria has a rich history of enduring contributions to the advancement of the Black race.

”It is home to the largest diaspora community of African descent and situated in West Africa, from whence countless enslaved Africans were tragically taken.”

He stated: ”My country holds a special place in the collective memory of the Diaspora.

”Culturally, Nigeria is regarded as the continent’s creative heart, with its rich array of ethnicities and globally celebrated traditions in music, cuisine, fashion, film (notably Nollywood) and literature.”

Advocating unity, President Tinubu quoted Marcus Garvey and an African proverb.

He stated: “As we chart the course forward, I am reminded of the words of Marcus Garvey: ‘Get organised and you will compel the world to respect you.’ His charge remains as resonant now as it was first made.”

“Likewise, an African proverb teaches us: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ Let us journey together, united in purpose and fortified by our common heritage,” he said.

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