Nigeria, Saint Lucia Strengthen Ties In Historic Bilateral Meeting
In a landmark move to deepen relations between Africa and the Caribbean, Nigeria and Saint Lucia have agreed to chart new paths for cooperation during a high-level bilateral meeting held as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the island nation.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, OON, met with Saint Lucia’s Minister for External Affairs, Alva Romanus Baptiste, in what was described as a warm and forward-looking engagement focused on shared heritage and future collaboration.
Ambassador Tuggar conveyed President Tinubu’s appreciation for the hospitality shown to the Nigerian delegation, noting the deep-rooted cultural and historical ties both nations share from African ancestry and the painful legacy of the transatlantic slave trade to a shared British colonial past.
He welcomed the expected formalisation of diplomatic relations between the two countries, emphasising the importance of establishing official ties to bolster regional and global cooperation.
For now, Nigeria’s High Commission in Port of Spain continues to provide diplomatic coverage for Saint Lucia.
Key proposals from Nigeria included a strategic partnership between its Technical Aid Corps and Saint Lucia’s Political & Economic Cooperation Development Division.
The plan would see Nigerian professionals deployed in health, education, agriculture, and technical sectors, as well as initiatives to share expertise in governance, youth empowerment, and institutional strengthening.
Education also featured prominently, with discussions around scholarships, academic exchanges, and research collaborations to foster closer people-to-people ties.
On the economic front, Nigeria expressed strong interest in expanding trade and investment in agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, renewable energy, and ICT. Climate change cooperation was also on the table, with Nigeria pledging support for Saint Lucia’s efforts as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), including access to climate finance and disaster risk reduction strategies.
Ambassador Tuggar was joined at the meeting by Minister Hannatu Musawa and the Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, Rt. Hon. Dr. Yusuf Buba Yakub.
Concluding the talks, Ambassador Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to standing by Saint Lucia and other SIDS on international platforms such as the UN, the Commonwealth, and AU–CARICOM partnerships.
He expressed confidence that the growing partnership would not only strengthen bilateral ties but also inspire deeper regional unity and shared prosperity.
