On his third day in the Caribbean island-nation of Saint Lucia, President Bola Tinubu has upped his economic and trade diplomacy with a strong offer to members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to explore Africa’s largest market with joint ventures and deeper commercial ties with Nigeria.
He made the announcement while addressing a special joint session of the Senate and House of Assembly of Saint Lucia at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia, as part of activities during his State Visit to the country.
He advocated enhanced trade and investment partnerships, especially in agriculture, manufacturing, and services, that would position Nigeria as a supplier and destination for OECS exports.
President Tinubu said: “When I assumed the Office of the President of Nigeria in May 2023, my Administration embarked on a series of economic, political and social reforms which were aimed at laying a solid foundation for the promotion of a better Nigeria and to put the country on the path of sustainable growth and development.
”It is in line with this orientation and to explore areas of cooperation and collaboration between the East Caribbean States, that I decided to undertake this State Visit to Saint Lucia.
”In this spirit, I wish to express Nigeria’s readiness to deepen cooperation with the OECS in mutual interest, including trade, investment, health, culture, education, and climate resilience.
“Nigeria’s vast natural resources and position as the largest market in Africa present significant opportunities for the OECS, both as a source of essential inputs and a growing export destination.
”Together, we can leverage our respective strengths to attract investment, create jobs, and foster joint ventures that benefit both our peoples.”
He proposed a maritime university collaboration and extending Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps (TAC) programme to OECS countries, while emphasizing Nigeria’s readiness to provide skilled education, healthcare, and engineering professionals to support regional capacity-building.
“I strongly advocate for educational exchange programmes between Nigerian and OECS maritime universities. Such partnerships will build technical capacity and foster mutual understanding and long-term academic collaboration.
“Beyond maritime education, both regions should explore joint scientific research initiatives, particularly addressing common health challenges. To structure these efforts, we should formalise agreements that clearly define key areas of cooperation in education and research,” he said.
Recognising the existential climate threats facing small island states, President Tinubu called for joint research on adaptation strategies, sustainable agriculture, disaster preparedness, and climate-induced migration.
“By sharing research findings on climate impacts, adaptation strategies, and disaster risk management—including a rise in sea level and outbreak of hurricanes—we can deepen our understanding and enhance our collective resilience,” he stated.
Reiterating Nigeria’s Afrocentric foreign policy, President Tinubu emphasised the cultural and historical ties between Nigeria and the diaspora and its enduring role in global Black solidarity.
”Nigeria, as the most populous nation on the African continent and the foremost Black nation globally, has long stood at the vanguard of advocacy for the dignity and advancement of Black people worldwide.
”This was evident from its strong opposition to colonialism and racial injustice, to its leadership in the Pan-African movement.
”Our foreign policy remains unapologetically Afrocentric. Notably, Nigeria played an instrumental role in establishing the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union, which has since embraced the Caribbean and the broader diaspora as its sixth region,” he said.
”Aside its demographic and economic prominence in Africa, Nigeria has a rich history of enduring contributions to the advancement of the Black race.
”It is home to the largest diaspora community of African descent and situated in West Africa, from whence countless enslaved Africans were tragically taken.
”My country holds a special place in the collective memory of the diaspora.
”Culturally, Nigeria is regarded as the continent’s creative heart, with its rich array of ethnicities and globally celebrated traditions in music, cuisine, fashion, film (notably Nollywood) and literature,” he told the audience of over 300 people at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, which included OECS Heads of Government, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and the Nigerian community in Saint Lucia.
