By Adenike Lawal
President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Saint Lucia has been described as a strategic diplomatic move aimed at strengthening Africa-Caribbean ties amid increasing global challenges.
Tinubu was received with high honours on Saturday by Saint Lucia’s Acting Governor-General, Errol Melchiades Charles, signaling a renewed commitment to South-South cooperation.
Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga said the visit reflects Nigeria’s drive to foster deeper collaboration with the Caribbean, especially as Saint Lucia holds a central role as the headquarters of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), and a gateway to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), a 15-member bloc with a combined GDP of over $130 billion.
“This is a critical time for the Global South,” Onanuga noted. “Reinforcing Africa-Caribbean cooperation is no longer optional; it’s essential.”
He added that Nigeria and the Caribbean nations share historic cultural and ancestral bonds, which continue to flourish through arts, music, and shared identity.
Tinubu’s visit, Onanuga explained, aligns with Nigeria’s “Four D’s” foreign policy doctrine: Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography.
It also resonates with the African Union’s “Sixth Region” vision, which formally recognizes the African diaspora as an integral part of the continent’s development.
“Nigeria is committed to leveraging cultural diplomacy,” he said. “From the global success of Afrobeats and Nollywood to the literary influence of Nigerian writers, our creative power is enriching the Caribbean’s cultural space.”
The visit reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to building long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships across the diaspora, anchored on shared history, identity, and respect.
