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Tinubu’s Visit To Saint Lucia Is Diplomatic, Not A Vacation – Presidency.
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Nigeria seeks stronger ancestral, cultural, and economic ties with Caribbean nations.
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Tinubu’s visit marks a major diplomatic milestone since Mandela’s 1998 visit.
The Presidency has defended President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing state visit to Saint Lucia, describing it as a significant diplomatic and cultural engagement, not a leisure trip as speculated by some Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency stressed that the visit rekindles Nigeria’s ancestral and strategic ties with Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Onanuga noted that some Nigerians have made “misguided, mischievous, and uninformed” comments about the President’s trip, prompting the clarification. He said the visit is part of Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen South-South cooperation and advance its Four D’s foreign policy strategy – Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography.
According to the Presidency, Saint Lucia shares deep ancestral links with Nigeria, dating back to the 19th century when immigrants from present-day Nigeria settled on the island, influencing its cultural and religious practices. The visit is seen by Saint Lucians as a chance to renew historical connections and deepen bilateral relations.
Onanuga highlighted that Saint Lucia serves as the headquarters of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and is a key player in CARICOM, a bloc with a combined GDP of over $130 billion, positioning the country as a gateway for Nigeria’s engagement with the Caribbean.
The Presidency also recalled historical ties, particularly the legacy of Sir Darnley Alexander, a Saint Lucian who served as Nigeria’s Chief Justice from 1975 to 1979, as well as the contributions of other Saint Lucians like Neville Skeete, who helped design the Central Bank of Nigeria building.
Tinubu’s visit aligns with the African Union’s Sixth Region agenda, which recognises the African diaspora as a critical partner in development. Nigeria’s cultural influence, especially through Afrobeats, Nollywood, and literature, continues to grow in Saint Lucia and the Caribbean.
The visit also includes plans to strengthen educational partnerships, with Tinubu scheduled to visit the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College. He will also meet the Nigerian community in Saint Lucia, further reinforcing the bonds between the two nations.
Saint Lucia has hosted fewer than 10 official state visits since its independence in 1979, with the last African leader to visit being Nelson Mandela in 1998. The Presidency described Tinubu’s visit as a historic diplomatic milestone and urged Nigerians to regard it as a strategic engagement, not a vacation.
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