President Tinubu arrives in Saint Lucia for a state visit, ahead of the 2025 BRICS Summit in Brazil, to deepen ties with Caribbean and Global South nations
Tinubu Saint Lucia visit began on Saturday as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Vieux Fort for the first leg of a two-nation diplomatic tour aimed at strengthening ties with Caribbean and South American nations.
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He touched down at the Hewanorra International Airport at 5.30 p.m. local time and was received with full military honours by Saint Lucia’s Governor-General Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre.
According to a statement issued by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the President will begin official engagements on Sunday with courtesy visits to the island nation’s top leadership.
“President Tinubu’s visit underscores Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic relations with Caribbean states, particularly within the African Union’s Sixth Region framework, which recognises the African diaspora as a vital partner in the continent’s development,” Onanuga said.
On Monday, Tinubu will address a special joint session of the Saint Lucian Senate and House of Assembly at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom in Gros Islet.
The session is expected to attract the Heads of Government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, senior officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and the Nigerian community in Saint Lucia.
The President will later host a high-level working luncheon with OECS leaders to deepen economic partnerships and promote cultural solidarity for mutual prosperity.
As part of his outreach, Tinubu will also visit the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries to boost academic exchange and educational ties between Nigeria and Saint Lucia.
Following the Saint Lucia visit, Tinubu will depart for Brazil to participate in the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 6 and 7.
He will attend as a ‘partner country’ — a newly granted status above guest observer — at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The 17th BRICS Summit, themed “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”, will centre on enhancing partnerships for economic, social, and environmental development among emerging economies.
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African countries like South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia currently hold full BRICS membership, and Nigeria’s growing engagement reflects its intention to play a greater role in the Global South’s strategic discourse.
