President Bola Tinubu will, on Friday, embark on a two-nation diplomatic mission to the Caribbean and South America, with official engagements in Saint Lucia and Brazil, as part of Nigeria’s efforts to expand its influence and strengthen ties within the Global South.
According to a statement on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s first stop will be the island nation of Saint Lucia, where he will undertake a state visit aimed at deepening Nigeria’s engagement with Caribbean nations, particularly through cultural and economic cooperation under the African Union’s Sixth Region framework, which recognises the African diaspora as vital to Africa’s global partnerships.
During the visit, President Tinubu will hold bilateral meetings with Governor-General Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles and Prime Minister Philip Pierre, and deliver a special address to a joint session of the Saint Lucian Senate and House of Assembly.
The address will take place at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom at Sandals Grande, Gros Islet, and will be attended by Heads of Government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), senior Saint Lucian officials, diplomats, members of the Nigerian community, and the Director-General of the OECS, Dr. Didacus Jules.
One of the highlights of the Saint Lucia visit will be a high-level working luncheon between President Tinubu and OECS leaders.
Discussions at the gathering are expected to focus on economic partnerships, educational linkages, infrastructure development, and shared prosperity rooted in cultural solidarity between Nigeria and Caribbean states.
The President is also scheduled to visit the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries, where he will engage with students and educators to foster stronger academic and research partnerships between Nigeria and the Caribbean region.
‘This visit underscores Nigeria’s growing commitment to engaging Caribbean nations more meaningfully, not only through traditional diplomacy but through people-to-people and institutional linkages that promote sustainable development and cultural heritage’, the statement said.
The visit comes as Nigeria continues to explore avenues for cooperation beyond traditional diplomatic circles, leveraging its historical, cultural, and diasporic ties to foster South-South alliances in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope foreign policy agenda.
Following his engagements in the Caribbean, President Tinubu will fly to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to participate in the 17th BRICS Summit scheduled for 6–7 July 2025.
President Tinubu will attend the summit at the invitation of Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, on the strength of Nigeria’s upgraded status as a partner country—a level above guest status but below full BRICS membership.
Currently, South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia represent Africa as full members of the influential economic bloc.
The Rio Summit, themed ‘Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance’, will focus on two key areas: enhanced collaboration across the Global South, and strengthening BRICS partnerships for social, economic, and environmental development.
President Tinubu is expected to engage with other world leaders on proposals to reform global financial governance, climate finance, multilateral trade, and digital transformation in developing economies.
The President will be accompanied on both legs of the trip by a delegation of senior government officials.
