President Tinubu arrives in Saint Lucia to begin a visit aimed at building stronger international ties.
He will meet leaders, speak in Parliament and discuss ways to grow trade and cultural links.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, beginning the first part of his planned visit to two countries in the Caribbean and South America.
He touched down at Hewanorra International Airport around 5:30 p.m. local time on Saturday. His arrival was announced in a statement issued later that evening by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, President Tinubu was welcomed with full military honors. He was received by the Governor-General of Saint Lucia, Errol Melchiades Charles, along with Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre.
On Sunday, the president will start his official duties by paying courtesy visits to both leaders. His main public engagement will take place on Monday when he is scheduled to speak to a joint session of the Saint Lucian Senate and House of Assembly.
That special session will be held at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, located at Sandals Grande in Gros Islet.
Onanuga stated that the gathering will include top officials from the Saint Lucian government, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Nigerians living in Saint Lucia, and the Director-General of the OECS, Dr. Didacus Jules.
After the parliamentary session, President Tinubu will host a working lunch with OECS leaders. The discussion is expected to focus on how Nigeria and the Caribbean region can improve ties through stronger economic partnerships and shared cultural values.
“Discussions will centre on deepening cooperation between Nigeria and the OECS, focusing on economic partnerships and cultural solidarity for shared prosperity,” Onanuga said.
The president is also expected to visit the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries. The visit is meant to encourage academic partnerships and student exchange programs between Nigeria and Saint Lucia.
Onanuga said the trip reflects Nigeria’s commitment to building closer relationships with countries in the Caribbean. He noted that the visit supports the African Union’s vision of working closely with the African diaspora, which it calls the “Sixth Region” of the continent.
After completing his schedule in Saint Lucia, President Tinubu will continue to Brazil to attend the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, taking place on July 6 and 7.
The invitation to attend the summit was extended by Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Nigeria will be participating as a “partner country,” a role that shows closer involvement than the observer status it held in previous years. While not yet a full member, this status puts Nigeria in a stronger position within the group.
Other African nations currently in BRICS include South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
This year’s BRICS Summit will focus on improving cooperation among countries in the Global South and promoting fair and sustainable global governance.
