President Bola Tinubu arrived in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. local time for the first part of his two-nation tour to the Caribbean and South America.
Tinubu was greeted with full military ceremonies at Hewanorra International Airport by Saint Lucia’s Governor-General, Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre.
The President “will kick off the state visit on Sunday by paying courtesy calls on the Governor-General and Prime Minister Philip Pierre,” according to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The announcement reads, ‘President Tinubu Arrives in Saint Lucia for State Visit.’
Tinubu will speak before a special joint session of the Senate and House of Assembly of Saint Lucia on Monday.
The event will be held at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom at Sandals Grande on Gros Islet.
Guests include the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States’ heads of government, prominent Saint Lucian government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, the Nigerian community in Saint Lucia, and Dr. Didacus Jules, the OECS Director-General.
Tinubu will also host a high-level working luncheon with OECS Heads of Government following the joint session of Saint Lucia’s Parliament.
The discussions will centre on expanding cooperation between Nigeria and the OECS, with an emphasis on economic partnerships and cultural solidarity for shared prosperity.
According to the president’s agenda, he will go to Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries to develop educational links and foster intellectual exchange.
“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.
Following his commitments in Saint Lucia, the President will go to Brazil to attend the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 6–7, 2025.
Tinubu is attending the BRICS summit at the invitation of Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, citing Nigeria’s status as a ‘partner country’ – a membership category that falls short of full participation.
As is customary, the partner status is higher than that of a visitor country. South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia are African members of the BRICS.
The 17th BRICS Summit will concentrate on “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”. The discussions will focus on two main areas: global south cooperation and BRICS partnerships for social, economic, and environmental development.
