President Bola Tinubu has proposed visa waivers for holders of official and diplomatic passports from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) as Nigeria and Saint Lucia formally established diplomatic relations.
This was contained in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, following Tinubu’s address at a special joint session of the Senate and House of Assembly of Saint Lucia on Monday.
Speaking at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia, President Tinubu described the establishment of diplomatic ties as a “symbolic bridge that will provide a gateway in fostering closer ties between us.”
The President proposed the creation of a Joint Commission or Political Consultation Agreement to facilitate structured cooperation between Nigeria and the OECS member states.
He also announced plans to offer full scholarships to students from the OECS region as part of efforts to promote cultural understanding and deepen people-to-people connections between Nigeria and the Eastern Caribbean.
The event was attended by leaders from Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Montserrat, Saint Martin, and Saint Vincent.
Tinubu declared Nigeria’s readiness to grant visa waivers to OECS diplomatic and official passport holders and urged reciprocal action to ease movement for officials and encourage stronger institutional cooperation.
”I respectfully urge a reciprocal gesture to enable smoother movement of officials and foster closer institutional cooperation,” the President stated.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening ties with OECS and Caribbean nations, anchored on shared African heritage and Pan-African ideals.
”As one who feels a profound kinship with our shared African heritage, I am fully aware of the historical currents that have bound us together, currents shaped by the transatlantic slave trade and colonial subjugation, but out of which emerged a shared cultural identity, an indomitable resilience, and a legacy of aspiration.
”My presence here today symbolises Nigeria’s renewed commitment to re-engage with these enduring ties, recognising their strategic and emotional significance,” he said.
Tinubu described the occasion as a testament to the enduring ideals of Pan-Africanism and the unyielding desire for unity among peoples of African descent.
On economic diplomacy and trade, the President offered OECS access to Africa’s largest market and encouraged joint ventures, particularly in agriculture, manufacturing, and services.
Tinubu highlighted the vast opportunities Nigeria presents as a supplier and destination for OECS exports, urging both regions to leverage their strengths to attract investment, create jobs, and foster partnerships that benefit their people.
He also proposed maritime university collaborations and extending Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps programme to OECS countries to support capacity-building in education, healthcare, and engineering.
Recognising the existential climate threats facing small island nations, the Nigerian leader called for joint research initiatives on climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture, and disaster preparedness.
Reiterating Nigeria’s Afrocentric foreign policy, Tinubu emphasised the country’s role in advancing the interests of people of African descent globally, its leadership in Pan-African efforts, and its enduring contributions to Black heritage through culture, creativity, and diaspora engagement.
Quoting Marcus Garvey and an African proverb, Tinubu called for unity and cooperation to advance Afro-Caribbean ties.
“As we chart the course forward, I am reminded of the words of Marcus Garvey: ‘Get organised and you will compel the world to respect you.’ His charge remains as resonant now as it was first made.
“Likewise, an African proverb teaches us: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ Let us journey together, united in purpose and fortified by our common heritage,” he added.
