President Bola Tinubu has announced new cultural and educational opportunities for students in Saint Lucia, including a scholarship programme and cultural exchange initiative, as part of Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Caribbean nation.
The President made the announcement during a visit to the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries, Saint Lucia, where he met with students, faculty, and members of the academic community on the fourth day of his official visit to the country.
During the interactive session, President Tinubu described education as the most powerful tool to fight poverty, encouraging the students to be bold, inquisitive, and disciplined in their academic pursuits.
“I offer a trip—at their convenience—for the performing arts group to come and mix with the talents we have in Nigeria,” Tinubu announced, following a stage performance of The Drum Maker, a play written by Saint Lucian playwright Kendel Hippolyte.
The cultural exchange initiative is separate from the tuition-free scholarship programme earlier announced for students from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to study in Nigeria.
“Nothing like education can fight poverty. If anybody tells you education is not crucial, ask the person to try ignorance,” Tinubu said, urging the students to embrace critical thinking and perseverance.
He further advised the student body not to rely solely on artificial intelligence for solutions but to cultivate their own problem-solving skills through determination and consistency.
The President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening Afro-Caribbean partnerships, stating, “Nigeria will collaborate with Saint Lucia to make a difference in the lives of our Black race. We must hand over a banner without stain to the generation that comes after us.”
Saint Lucia’s Minister for Education, Edward Shadrack, welcomed the President’s visit as a symbol of the enduring bonds between Africa and the Caribbean, saying, “Today’s gathering reflects our shared belief in the power of education to bridge continents, build partnerships, and shape a more connected and empowered world.”
Chairman of the College’s Board of Governors, Mr. Cletus Springer, called for expanded collaboration between Nigerian universities and Saint Lucian institutions, particularly in student exchange, research, and technical education.
He applauded Tinubu’s scholarship initiative, noting, “We are excited about our students learning alongside their Nigerian peers. This is the surest way to build networks that cross oceans but remain rooted in our shared African-Caribbean identity.”
Student leader Naeem Philbert described Tinubu’s visit as a moment of reconnection, stating, “Though our stories have been written on different ocean sides, they remain deeply connected. Nigeria is not a foreign country. It is family.”
President Tinubu was accompanied by senior government officials, including Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, and the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Before departing the school, Tinubu paid his respects at the gravesite of Saint Lucia’s Nobel Laureate, Sir Arthur Lewis, located on the school’s premises.
