President Bola Ahmed Tinubu departed Abuja on Saturday for a high-level diplomatic visit to Saint Lucia and Brazil, aimed at deepening Nigeria’s ties with nations of the Global South in areas including trade, education, infrastructure, and cultural exchange.
This was disclosed in a statement released Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The president’s first stop is the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, where he is undertaking a state visit. During his stay, Tinubu is expected to engage in bilateral talks with top government officials, including Governor-General Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles and Prime Minister Philip Pierre.
A major highlight of the visit will be Tinubu’s address to a special joint session of Saint Lucia’s Senate and House of Assembly. The historic event is scheduled to hold at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, Gros Islet, with an audience comprising Heads of Government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), senior officials, diplomats, and members of the Nigerian community in the Caribbean.
Following his parliamentary address, President Tinubu will host a high-level luncheon with OECS leaders to discuss economic cooperation and cultural collaboration between Nigeria and the Caribbean region.
As part of efforts to enhance educational partnerships, the Nigerian leader will also visit the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries to explore avenues for academic exchange and youth empowerment.
The presidency emphasized that the visit aligns with Nigeria’s strategic commitment to engaging Caribbean nations under the African Union’s Sixth Region framework, which acknowledges the African diaspora as a vital force in the continent’s development.
From Saint Lucia, Tinubu will proceed to Brazil for the 17th BRICS Summit scheduled to hold in Rio de Janeiro from July 6 to 7, 2025. He is attending the summit at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, representing Nigeria as a “partner country”—a diplomatic status above that of a guest country, though short of full BRICS membership.
Nigeria’s participation comes amid increasing interest in strengthening South-South cooperation. The summit will focus on the theme: “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.”
President Tinubu will be accompanied by senior government officials throughout the two-nation trip.
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