In a landmark address to a special joint sitting of Saint Lucia’s Parliament on Monday, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced scholarships for Saint Lucian students and proposed deeper cooperation with the Eastern Caribbean, including trade, education and cultural exchange.
Tinubu, the first African head of government to address Saint Lucia’s Parliament, emphasised shared heritage and future collaboration during his official visit.
The historic event, held at Sandals Grande Resort, brought together members of Saint Lucia’s Upper and Lower Houses, government officials, opposition leaders, OECS representatives, Nigerian parliamentarians and other distinguished guests.
Tinubu revealed that Nigeria had formally established diplomatic relations with Saint Lucia and would offer scholarships to Saint Lucian students, aligning with the goal of the island’s government to ensure that every household has a university graduate. Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre welcomed the move, calling it “great news for the people of Saint Lucia”.
The Nigerian leader also proposed educational and cultural exchange programmes between Nigeria and the OECS, along with visa waivers for diplomatic and official passport holders to facilitate smoother travel and institutional cooperation. “I respectfully urge a reciprocal gesture,” he said.
Reflecting on the deep historical and cultural ties between Africa and the Caribbean, Tinubu stated: “As one who feels a profound kinship with our shared African heritage, I am fully aware of the historic current that has bound us together, currents shaped by transatlantic slavery, the slave trade and colonial subjugation, but out of which emerged a shared cultural identity, resilience and a legacy of aspiration.”
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to pan-African unity, declaring the OECS a “cherished partner” and calling for enhanced collaboration in trade, investment, health and climate resilience. “If you want to go fast, you go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” he said, quoting an African proverb.
Pierre echoed the sentiment, highlighting opportunities for partnership in tourism, finance and the creative industries. Noting the lack of direct flights between Nigeria and the Caribbean, he suggested establishing air links to boost tourism and connectivity. “Saint Lucia would gladly be a facilitator if such a venture were economically viable,” he said.
Pierre also proposed exchanges between Nigerian and Saint Lucian artists, musicians and filmmakers, as well as sports collaborations in cricket and football. He welcomed Nigerian banks and fintech companies to expand investment opportunities in Saint Lucia.
Both leaders looked ahead to the upcoming African and CARICOM summit in Addis Ababa in September, where further regional cooperation will be discussed. “May your visit mark the beginning of a new era of deep friendship, cooperation and shared success between our people,” Pierre said.
He pointed out that Saint Lucia was home to a vibrant Nigerian community contributing to the sectors of health, religion and tourism.
“Despite our differences, we share a common strength of the quality and resilience of our people,” Pierre said.
Tinubu closed with a call to unity: “Let us journey together, united in purpose. I am fortified by our common heritage.”
Don’t bother. They know what they do for grades. Better spend you all money in the Caribbean on an education. No one looking for graduates from university of odobo
Great initiative. Interested in getting a scholarship
This is a good initiative for students looking to get into the medical field . Nigeria has many good medical schools , It is similar to studying in Cuba and Nigeria has world renowned medical schools like the Universities of Ibadan, Lagos and Ife . Indigent OECS students can seize the opportunity to study for 5 years and be back in the Caribbean for internship after 5 years . The last comment is an ignorant one and based on stereotypical anti African ignorance . A word is enough for the wise .
Scholarship????
When Nigerians are up here in England Universities…. No Nigerians want to study in Nigeria.. They selling their land to get money to remove their children from their own country….
I don’t think PJP ever take the time to study about Nigeria…Nigerians are risking their lives to get out of their own country of birth to come to the UK.
This is NOT a safe place for any St.Lucians to go and study..
@UK Lucian . All the Nigerian doctors and nurses treating you in the NHS UK hospitals , have you asked yourself where they were all trained ? The fact that Nigerians come to the UK for better opportunities does not mean they do not get educated in their home countries . It’s a scholarship that will benefit those interested in fields where the Nigerian universities have a relative advantage eg African literature and Languages such as Yoruba . FYI , West Indians have been studying and living in Nigeria since the 1950 and this is not a new thing !
While I’m not one to discriminate, but there seems to be a mad rush among Nigerians to be anywhere else but in Nigeria. For study and almost everything else. Just saying.
Let’s not be negative. There is a lot to benefit from the relationship. We need the scholarships and cultural exchanges. We should not only look up to Europe, Canada and USA.