At Monday’s pre-Cabinet press briefing, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre outlined the concrete outcomes of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Saint Lucia, framing it as a pivotal moment for deeper collaboration between the OECS and one of Africa’s largest economies.
Tinubu’s working visit, from June 28 to July 4, went beyond ceremonial diplomacy, yielding tangible agreements aimed at strengthening South-South ties, the prime minister said. “It was a productive session with clear, actionable results.”
Among the key offers from Nigeria were full tuition scholarships for OECS students, the deployment of Nigerian professionals in critical sectors via the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, and visa waivers for OECS diplomatic and official passport holders, with reciprocity encouraged.
Crucially, Pierre revealed that discussions are underway to establish a Nigeria-OECS Joint Commission, a strategic body designed to institutionalise and expand cooperation. “[This commission] will guide and expand this new partnership, as well as collaboration in education, maritime training, scientific research and climate adaptation.”
He noted that Saint Lucia has already formalised diplomatic relations with Nigeria, with other OECS members expected to follow.
OECS leaders welcomed Nigeria’s proposals, identifying priority areas, “including reviving the Nigeria-OECS medical partnership to bring doctors and nurses to the region”, Pierre said.
He also mentioned expanding youth exchanges in tech and innovation, boosting cultural trade through Afro-Caribbean creative exports, and enhancing air and maritime connectivity, including revived talks on the Black Star Line initiative and direct flights via Nigerian carriers.
The discussions also involved targeted tourism marketing to Nigeria’s growing middle class, as well as joint trade and investment promotion, including business forums and matchmaking between OECS entrepreneurs and Nigerian investors.
To ensure momentum, both sides agreed to appoint lead representatives and technical working groups. “The ties between Africa and the Caribbean are not only historical – they are strategic,” Pierre concluded.
