From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Monday, officially announced the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, calling it a “symbolic bridge” to foster closer ties between the two nations.
Speaking at a special joint session of Saint Lucia’s Senate and House of Assembly at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, Gros Islet, that was attended by over 300 people, including OECS Heads of Government, senior officials, diplomats, and members of the Nigerian community in Saint Lucia, President Tinubu highlighted the deep historical and cultural bonds linking Nigeria with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
Highlighting the importance of structured cooperation, the Nigerian leader proposed the creation of a Joint Commission or Political Consultation Agreement between Nigeria and the OECS. He also pledged full scholarships for OECS students to promote cultural understanding and strengthen the bond between Nigeria and the Eastern Caribbean states.
Addressing an audience that included leaders from Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Montserrat, Saint Martin, and Saint Vincent, President Tinubu announced Nigeria’s readiness to waive visa requirements for OECS diplomatic and official passport holders. He urged reciprocal visa waivers to facilitate smoother official travel and enhance institutional cooperation.
“I respectfully urge a reciprocal gesture to enable smoother movement of officials and foster closer institutional cooperation,” he said.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to the OECS and Caribbean nations, Tinubu invoked shared African heritage and Pan-African ideals as the foundation for renewed engagement. “My presence here today symbolises Nigeria’s renewed commitment to re-engage with these enduring ties, recognising their strategic and emotional significance,” he stated. He described the relationship as rooted in a common history shaped by the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism, from which emerged a shared cultural identity and resilience.
On economic diplomacy, President Tinubu offered OECS countries access to Africa’s largest market and encouraged joint ventures and deeper trade ties, particularly in agriculture, manufacturing, and services. He highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing reforms aimed at sustainable growth and expressed readiness to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, health, culture, education, and climate resilience.
He also proposed collaboration between Nigerian and OECS maritime universities and extending Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps programme to OECS countries to support capacity-building in education, healthcare, and engineering. He called for joint scientific research addressing common health challenges and climate adaptation strategies, emphasizing the vulnerability of small island states to climate threats such as rising sea levels and hurricanes.
Reiterating Nigeria’s Afrocentric foreign policy, Tinubu underscored Nigeria’s historical leadership in Pan-Africanism and its role as home to the largest African diaspora. He praised Nigeria’s cultural richness, including its globally influential music, cuisine, fashion, film, and literature industries, and called for unity among peoples of African descent.
“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,” President Tinubu said. He concluded with an African proverb: “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”.