By Dr. Wiebe Boer
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent official state visit to Saint Lucia was a historic occasion — only the second ever by a Nigerian president to the Caribbean, the first being President Goodluck Jonathan’s visits to Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica in 2012. This landmark visit reaffirmed the profound cultural, historical, and spiritual ties that bind Nigeria and the Caribbean, and more specifically, Saint Lucia.
For me, this visit held special significance. I was born and raised in Nigeria, have been married for over 23 years to a Trinbagonian woman, and have spent the last nine months working closely with the Saint Lucian government on their Universal Health Coverage financing project as part of the JIPA Network project team.
These personal and professional experiences have given me a unique perspective on the tremendous opportunities that exist at the intersection of West Africa and the Caribbean. This visit marks a critical step in deepening those ties.
Genuine Connections and Shared Aspirations
From the moment the Nigerian delegation arrived, the warmth and extraordinary hospitality extended by Saint Lucia set the tone for the visit.
The Nigerian and Saint Lucian counterparts connected with impressive ease and mutual respect, acknowledging the many ways their nations can collaborate to their shared benefit.
A standout moment was the historic joint sitting of the Saint Lucian Senate and Parliament, where President Tinubu and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre delivered compelling speeches. Both leaders underscored the importance of fostering closer ties between these proud black nations. Prime Minister Pierre emphasized Nigeria’s role in assisting with healthcare workforce shortages, called for the establishment of direct flights, and highlighted immense opportunities for co-investment in tourism, energy, and financial services. In a personal reflection, he noted that his own Catholic parish priest is Nigerian, highlighting the existing close community bonds.
Saint Lucia’s contribution to Nigeria’s legal history was also recognized: Sir Darnley Alexander, a distinguished Saint Lucian jurist, served as Nigeria’s fourth Chief Justice from 1975 to 1979, exemplifying the longstanding connections between the two countries.
President Tinubu’s announcement of scholarships for OECS students to attend Nigerian universities was warmly received, though I recommend that exchange be done at the graduate level. Tinubu’s offer for visa waivers for diplomatic and official passport holders is also a step in the right direction but would have been better if it was a full visa waiver for any Saint Lucians and OECS citizens visiting Nigeria. Both offers underscore a commitment to deepen educational and people-to-people ties between the regions.
The Nigerian delegation was warmly hosted at two splendid receptions during their visit—first at the Governor General’s official residence overlooking the picturesque Castries Bay, and later at the Prime Minister’s historic official residence, coincidentally painted in Nigeria’s green and white colors. Both venues, meticulously maintained despite their over a century-old heritage, left a lasting impression on the Nigerian guests, who admired the beauty and pride with which Saint Lucia preserves its cultural and architectural legacy.
The reception at the Governor General’s residence was a particularly memorable occasion, where President Tinubu was honoured with the title of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (K.C.S.L.), recognizing his outstanding efforts to strengthen ties between Africa and the Caribbean. The evening was filled with cultural celebration, featuring a vibrant performance by the Saint Lucia Royal Police Band blending Caribbean and Nigerian musical traditions, and guests enjoyed authentic Nigerian dishes such as jollof rice and pepper soup.
At the Prime Minister’s residence, the gathering showcased the strong presence and vibrancy of the Nigerian community on the island, reaffirming Nigerians’ integral role in Saint Lucian society. These receptions captured the spirit of friendship and mutual respect that defined the entire visit and embodied the promise of a renewed and robust partnership.
The visit featured the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hon. Hannatu Musa Musawa, and Saint Lucia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture, and Information, Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire. In addition to commitments to exploring investment and technical exchanges, this agreement paves the way for collaboration across key cultural events, including Saint Lucia Carnival, Saint Lucia Jazz Festival, Lagos Fashion Week, Nigeria’s Detty December, and Calabar Carnival.
This sets the stage for exciting new creative partnerships, including music collaborations fusing Afrobeats with Soca, Calypso, and Saint Lucia’s indigenous musical genres such as Kélé and Chante Mas — vibrant styles deeply rooted in the island’s French Creole culture. These genres offer unique opportunities to celebrate and share the rich, Creole-influenced heritage of Saint Lucia alongside Nigerian musical traditions.
Additionally, potential Nollywood film productions filmed in Saint Lucia will enhance cultural exchange and promote tourism.
Another outcome was the signing of the Technical Manpower Assistance (TMA) Agreement. Under this agreement, Nigeria will deploy skilled professionals—including teachers, doctors, and agriculturists—to Saint Lucia and other Caribbean nations. Nigerian volunteers will serve two-year terms, with Nigeria covering allowances and logistics, and host countries providing accommodation and support. This represents a bold commitment to South-South cooperation and diaspora reconnection.
While the initial numbers involved are small, this effort can open the door for a broader pipeline of skilled Nigerian professionals in the healthcare and other sectors to seek opportunities in the OECS, filling critical gaps in countries across the region.
Saint Lucia’s robust banking sector—with its liquidity and access to convertible currencies—positions it not only as a destination for Nigerian investment but also as a potential investor in Nigerian opportunities. The reciprocal financial flows will provide a strong foundation for sustainable bilateral economic growth.
While the absence of Nigerian private sector representatives as part of President Tinubu’s delegation limited immediate discussions on energy, fintech, and broader financial services investments, the government-level talks have laid groundwork for future, inclusive engagement.
The prospect of direct air connectivity was warmly discussed, and there is strong hope that Nigeria’s Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo will actively pursue this essential development to boost tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.
Unlocking Tourism and Beverage Market Opportunities
Beyond these foundational agreements lies immense potential for Saint Lucia in Nigeria’s expanding markets. Saint Lucia’s world-class expertise in hospitality and tourism training is highly sought after, with opportunities to partner in developing Nigeria’s tourism infrastructure and service standards.
The potential for Saint Lucian investors to participate in Nigeria’s growing tourism sector—such as the possibility of establishing a “Sandals Lagos”—is promising.
Moreover, Nigeria’s sizeable market, which spends over $500 million annually on imported champagne and similar luxury spirits, represents a tremendous opportunity for Saint Lucia’s acclaimed rum producers.
Promoting Saint Lucian rum as an authentic Caribbean alternative could open significant new revenue streams and expand Saint Lucia’s brand presence in West Africa.
This visit symbolized a shift toward direct Africa-Caribbean engagement that moves beyond traditional European and American intermediaries. It reaffirmed a shared heritage and a common future, with Saint Lucia positioned as a vital gateway to the Caribbean through the OECS and CARICOM.
President Tinubu’s visit to Saint Lucia was a historic and transformative event, laying the foundation for a dynamic, mutually beneficial partnership. Saint Lucia stands ready to embrace the opportunities Nigeria presents, forging a new chapter of Africa-Caribbean cooperation rooted in shared history, culture, and economic ambition.
