President Bola Tinubu has kicked off a diplomatic tour with a visit to Saint Lucia, arriving in the Caribbean nation on Saturday evening. His arrival at Hewanorra International Airport in Vieux Fort was marked by military honours and a warm welcome from the country’s Governor-General, Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre.
The visit marks the beginning of a broader mission to deepen Nigeria’s ties with Caribbean and South American nations. On Sunday, President Tinubu will hold formal meetings with both the Governor-General and the Prime Minister.
One of the major highlights of the visit is a planned address to a joint session of Saint Lucia’s Parliament on Monday, which will take place at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom in Gros Islet. The audience will include top Saint Lucian officials, members of the Nigerian community in the Caribbean, and leaders from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
Following his address, Tinubu is expected to meet with OECS Heads of Government during a high-level luncheon to discuss strengthening partnerships in trade, culture, and development.
The Nigerian leader will also visit the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College to explore opportunities for educational collaboration between Nigeria and Saint Lucia.
According to his media team, the trip reflects Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to engage with the global African diaspora and support closer cooperation under the African Union’s Sixth Region framework.
After concluding his visit to Saint Lucia, Tinubu will travel to Brazil to attend the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, taking place July 6–7. Nigeria is participating as a “partner country,” a new designation that reflects its increasing role in international dialogue among Global South nations.
