Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, and Saint Lucia Prime Minister, Philip Pierre, have pledged to establish formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Both leaders discussed ongoing efforts towards this objective during President Tinubu’s courtesy visit to the Prime Minister at his official residence in Castries, on the second day of the Nigerian President’s State Visit to the Caribbean nation.
President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to advocating for the interests of smaller states and expressed readiness to explore opportunities to enhance trade and economic cooperation, particularly in agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing.
Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, noted that President Tinubu acknowledged the enduring connections shaped by a shared past and the collective resilience of both regions, highlighting the historical and cultural ties between Africans and Caribbeans.
“Our two nations are bound by history, culture, and common aspirations. We are determined to nurture and expand this relationship”, Tinubu said.
The Nigerian leader noted that ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral engagement would lay the foundation for enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, education, and cultural exchange, while improving consular services for citizens of both nations.
“This is a bridge between Africa and the Caribbean, a pathway to deepen economic ties and foster mutual understanding. It reflects our desire to advance prosperity, solidarity, and sustainable development”, he added.
President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with Saint Lucia on global issues of mutual concern, including climate change, disaster response, and development financing. He affirmed Nigeria’s support for the priorities and perspectives of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in international fora.
Prime Minister Pierre acknowledged the productive discussions between the two countries’ Ministers of Foreign Affairs and expressed optimism about the future of bilateral ties. “There is an air of enthusiasm and optimism about the future of relations between our countries”, he said.
Reflecting on Saint Lucia’s longstanding connection to Nigeria, the Prime Minister recalled: “Saint Lucia’s small size did not prevent it from offering one of its finest talents to the post-independence development project of Nigeria in the person of Sir Darnley Alexander, as Nigeria’s fourth Chief Justice between 1975 and 1979.”
He outlined key areas for potential collaboration, including agriculture, tourism, culture, education, health, and physical infrastructure.
“The cultural affinities between us are apparent. This is embedded in our DNA, and time cannot erase it. Saint Lucia is now an established global centre for cultural festivals. The acclaimed Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival is now a global brand, and there is much that we can share with Nigeria as it seeks to establish itself as a centre for global entertainment, particularly in the film and music industries; moreover, there is an incredible potential for people-to-people exchange”, said Pierre.
The Prime Minister lauded Nigeria’s legacy in education and emphasised the importance of deepening educational cooperation to support his goal of one university graduate per household, at minimum.
“Nigeria’s accomplishments in higher education are historical and well known. Your programme will give you an insight into what we are trying to do in that area, with a visit to the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, our premier educational institution. Our distinguished Nobel Laureate in Economics, after whom the College was named, postulated that the key to development lay in education. Saint Lucia is trying to give meaning to that within the means at its disposal. A policy of my government is to have one university graduate per household”, he said.
Prime Minister Pierre reaffirmed Saint Lucia’s intention to strengthen ties with the African continent, with Nigeria playing a central role.
“Your visit comes at a time of heightened global insecurity and a fundamental shifting in the exercise of power in international relations by the major powers in the Global North. There is growing uncertainty about the basis and motivation underlying international relationships. There is growing uncertainty about the integrity of friendships and alliances in international relationships”, he said.
The Prime Minister recalled that in one of his first addresses in August 2021, he pledged to deepen Saint Lucia’s ties with Africa and described President Tinubu’s visit as a timely opportunity to pursue collaboration.
“There is a need for countries in the Global South to consolidate existing relationships with each other and to create, establish and develop relationships of cooperation where such relationships do not exist. Saint Lucia is seeking to do just that with Nigeria”, he said.
President Tinubu also visited the Governor-General of Saint Lucia, Cyril Charles, at the Government House, Morne Fortune. They discussed their shared Commonwealth membership as a platform for collaboration on climate change, technical assistance, and addressing socio-economic challenges.
President Tinubu appreciated the hospitality extended to him and his delegation since their arrival, describing Saint Lucians as “valued friends and brothers.”
