The Nigerian Presidency has swiftly refuted claims circulating in some quarters that President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Saint Lucia is for a vacation, clarifying that the trip is for significant diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.
President Tinubu arrived in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, on Sunday, prompting speculation about the nature of his visit to the Caribbean nation. However, Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga, in a statement released on Sunday, dismissed these claims as “misguided, mischievous, and uninformed.”
Onanuga emphasized that from the perspective of the Saint Lucian government, Tinubu’s visit is pivotal for “rekindling ancestral bonds, igniting a new era of diplomatic, cultural, and economic possibilities” between the two nations. He highlighted that Saint Lucia, like many Caribbean countries, has a substantial population with African ancestry, including descendants of 19th-century Nigerian immigrants who brought enduring cultural and religious practices.
The Presidency stressed the imperative for Africa and the Caribbean to deepen cooperation amidst increasing global uncertainty. Onanuga noted that Saint Lucia, as the headquarters of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and a gateway to the 15 CARICOM member states, represents a significant partner in South-South trade, with CARICOM boasting a combined GDP of over $130 billion.
Furthermore, Tinubu’s visit aligns with Nigeria’s “Four D’s” foreign policy framework: Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography. This framework underpins Nigeria’s commitment to:
Democracy: Promoting and upholding democratic values both domestically and internationally.
Development: Driving economic growth and prosperity through sustainable initiatives and strategic international collaborations.
Diaspora: Recognizing and leveraging the Nigerian diaspora as a key development partner, fostering cultural exchange and engagement.
Demography: Utilizing Nigeria’s large and youthful population as a strategic asset on the global stage.
The Presidency also pointed out that the visit supports the African Union’s “Sixth Region” agenda, which identifies the African diaspora as a crucial development partner. Nigeria actively fosters cultural exchange, with its cultural exports like Afrobeats, Nollywood, and literature already making a significant impact in Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean, enriching a shared cultural landscape.
This visit, according to the Presidency, is a strategic move to reinforce Nigeria’s global partnerships and advance its national interests on the international stage, rather than a leisure trip.
