President Bola Tinubu will on Saturday, June 28, 2025, depart Abuja for a two-nation official visit to Saint Lucia and Brazil, according to a press release issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The president’s first stop will be Saint Lucia, where he is expected to deepen Nigeria’s relations with Caribbean nations and promote South-South cooperation.
“His first stop is Saint Lucia, where he will pay a state visit as part of efforts to deepen Nigeria’s engagement with Caribbean nations and strengthen South-South cooperation,” the statement read.
While in Saint Lucia, President Tinubu will pay courtesy visits to the Governor-General, His Excellency Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, and Prime Minister Philip Pierre. A key part of his itinerary will be an address to a special joint session of the Saint Lucian Senate and House of Assembly at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, Gros Islet.
The session will be attended by the Heads of Government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the Nigerian community in Saint Lucia, and the Director-General of OECS, Dr Didacus Jules.
“President Tinubu will hold a high-level working luncheon with the Heads of Government of OECS, after the joint session of the Parliament of Saint Lucia,” the presidency stated.
“Discussions at the luncheon will focus on specific parameters to deepen cooperation between Nigeria and the OECS for shared prosperity through economic partnerships and cultural solidarity.”
The president will also visit Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries “to strengthen educational ties and promote academic exchange.”
According to the statement, “President Tinubu’s visit underscores Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic relations with Caribbean states, especially within the African Union’s Sixth Region framework, which recognises the African diaspora as an essential partner in the continent’s development.”
The presidency also noted that “Nigeria and Saint Lucia share ties through membership in international organisations such as the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations, and they have a common heritage rooted in African ancestry.”
The visit is expected to “open new pathways for infrastructure development, educational cooperation, youth empowerment, and diplomatic exchange.”
After concluding his engagements in Saint Lucia, President Tinubu will travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to participate in the 17th BRICS Summit scheduled for July 6–7, 2025.
“President Tinubu is attending the summit at the invitation of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, on the strength of Nigeria’s status as a ‘partner country’—a membership category short of full status,” the statement added.
“The Partner status is higher than that of a guest country, as has been the case in the past. South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia are African members of BRICS.”
The 2025 BRICS Summit will focus on “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” with particular attention on “Global South Cooperation and BRICS Partnerships for Social, Economic, and Environmental Development.”
President Tinubu will be accompanied on both legs of the trip by senior government officials.
