By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
LANDING 5:30PM local time on Saturday in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, President Bola Tinubu began the first leg of a two-nation diplomatic tour spanning the Caribbean and South America.
Upon arrival at Hewanorra International Airport, President Tinubu received full military honours and was welcomed by the Governor-General of Saint Lucia, His Excellency Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, alongside Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre.
Sunday’s itinerary begins with courtesy visits to the Governor-General and the Prime Minister.
On Monday, the Nigerian leader is billed to address a joint session of the Senate and House of Assembly of Saint Lucia.
The proceedings will be held at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, Gros Islet.
Among the dignitaries expected are Heads of Government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), top Saint Lucian officials, the Nigerian diaspora community, senior diplomats, and the Director-General of the OECS, Dr Didacus Jules.
President Tinubu will also host a high-level working luncheon with OECS leaders following Monday’s joint parliamentary session. Deliberations are set to focus on strengthening economic ties and advancing cultural solidarity between Nigeria and OECS member states.
According to the official programme, President Tinubu will visit the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries to promote education partnerships and expand academic exchanges.
The diplomatic outreach underscores Nigeria’s strategic commitment to deepening cooperation with Caribbean nations under the African Union’s Sixth Region framework, which recognises the African diaspora as central to continental progress.
Following his engagements in Saint Lucia, the President is expected in Rio de Janeiro to attend the 2025 BRICS Summit, scheduled for July 6–7. He will participate at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Nigeria’s presence at the summit is under the ‘Partner Country’ category — a classification that stops short of full membership but ranks above guest status. South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia are currently the African members of BRICS.
The statement says this year’s summit will focus on “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,” with key attention on joint BRICS projects supporting social, economic, and environmental development.
