President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday, 28 June, for a two-nation visit to Saint Lucia and Brazil.
In a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson Mr Bayo Onanuga, it was disclosed that President Tinubu’s first stop will be Saint Lucia, where he is scheduled to pay a state visit aimed at deepening Nigeria’s engagement with Caribbean nations and strengthening South-South cooperation.
During the visit, President Tinubu will pay courtesy calls on the Governor-General of Saint Lucia, His Excellency Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, and Prime Minister Philip Pierre.
A key highlight of the trip will be President Tinubu’s address to a special joint session of the Senate and House of Assembly of Saint Lucia at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, Gros Islet.
Mr Onanuga noted that “the Heads of Government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the Nigerian community, and the Director-General of OECS, Dr Didacus Jules, have been invited to attend the special session.”
Following the parliamentary address, President Tinubu will hold a high-level working luncheon with the OECS Heads of Government, where discussions will centre on advancing economic partnerships and cultural cooperation between Nigeria and the Caribbean region for shared prosperity.
As part of the visit, the President will also tour the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries, Saint Lucia’s capital, to promote academic exchange and strengthen educational ties between Nigeria and the Caribbean island nation.
Nigeria–Saint Lucia Ties
President Tinubu’s visit underscores Nigeria’s renewed commitment to enhancing diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations with Caribbean states, particularly under the African Union’s Sixth Region framework. This framework recognises the African diaspora as an integral partner in Africa’s development trajectory.
Nigeria and Saint Lucia share membership in key international bodies, including the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations, and both countries are bound by shared African heritage.
The visit is expected to lay the foundation for future cooperation in infrastructure development, youth empowerment, educational advancement, and increased diplomatic engagement.
BRICS Summit in Brazil
Following his engagements in Saint Lucia, President Tinubu will proceed to Brazil to participate in the 17th BRICS Summit, which is scheduled to hold in Rio de Janeiro from 6 to 7 July 2025.
President Tinubu is attending the summit at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, based on Nigeria’s designation as a ‘partner country’—a diplomatic status that ranks higher than that of a guest nation. This marks a significant elevation in Nigeria’s global diplomatic engagement with BRICS.
South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia are currently the African members of the BRICS bloc.
The theme of the 17th BRICS Summit is “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.” The summit will focus on two core areas: enhancing Global South cooperation and deepening BRICS partnerships for social, economic, and environmental development.
President Tinubu will be accompanied on both legs of the trip by senior government officials.