The Presidency has firmly defended President Bola Tinubu’s historic state visit to Saint Lucia, describing recent criticisms as “misguided, mischievous, and uninformed,” and affirming that the trip is deeply rooted in Nigeria’s strategic foreign policy objectives and shared historical heritage with the Caribbean.
A statement released from the State House on Friday clarified that the visit holds both symbolic and substantive importance, aimed at rekindling ancestral bonds, strengthening diplomatic relations, and exploring new economic and cultural frontiers between Nigeria and Saint Lucia.
“From the perspective of the Government of Saint Lucia, the visit by the Nigerian leader paves the way for the rekindling of our ancestral bonds, igniting a new era of diplomatic, cultural, and economic possibilities between our nations,” the statement said.
President Tinubu’s visit, the first by a Nigerian leader to the island nation, comes at a time of growing momentum for deeper cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean. Saint Lucia, like many Caribbean nations, has a significant population of African ancestry. In the mid-19th century, waves of immigrants from what is now Nigeria settled in Saint Lucia, leaving cultural and religious legacies that endure to this day.
The island nation is also the headquarters of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and serves as a gateway to the wider Caribbean Community (CARICOM), comprising 15 member states with a combined GDP exceeding $130 billion—making it a vital player in South-South trade and diplomacy.
The Presidency pointed to shared historical connections, notably referencing Saint Lucian-born jurist Sir Darnley Alexander, who served as Nigeria’s Chief Justice from 1975 to 1979. He had been invited to Nigeria in 1957 by the Western Regional Government led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and rose through the ranks to occupy the highest judicial seat in the land.
“Sir Darnley Alexander’s legacy is not just legal but symbolic of the deep, human connections that tie Nigeria and Saint Lucia together,” the statement noted. “His son, Michael Alexander, also served bravely as a medical officer in the Nigerian Army during the civil war.”
Another prominent figure of Saint Lucian descent, Neville Skeete, played a role in designing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s corporate headquarters, further underscoring the longstanding partnership between both nations.
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The Presidency explained that the visit aligns with President Tinubu’s “Four D’s Foreign Policy”—Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography—emphasizing collaboration with the African diaspora in global development.
The statement also tied the visit to the African Union’s Sixth Region Agenda, which identifies people of African descent living outside the continent as a key constituency for partnership in development and cultural exchange.
“Our cultural exports—Afrobeats, Nollywood, and literature—are already transforming Saint Lucia’s social landscape,” the Presidency stated. “At the famous Gros Islet Street Party held every Friday for over 50 years, Afrobeats and Nigerian music dominated the airwaves even before President Tinubu’s arrival.”
Highlighting shared values of democracy and governance, the Presidency noted that Saint Lucia is a stable parliamentary democracy and a natural partner for Nigeria, which has enjoyed over two decades of uninterrupted democratic rule.
“This visit is not just ceremonial—it’s a reaffirmation of shared roots, mutual respect, and a bold step toward forging lasting economic and diplomatic ties between Africa and the Caribbean,” the statement concluded.
President Tinubu’s engagement in Saint Lucia also signals Nigeria’s growing cultural and geopolitical influence in the Global South, as the country strengthens alliances rooted in history, people-to-people diplomacy, and forward-looking cooperation.