President Bola Tinubu addressing a special joint sitting of the Senate and House of Assembly of Saint Lucia at Sandals Grande, Gros Islet, on Monday.
By DAVID IORJA, Abuja-
President Bola Tinubu has called on the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to take advantage of Nigeria’s vast market and invest in the country.
President Tinubu made the call on Monday while addressing a special joint session of the Senate and House of Assembly of Saint Lucia.
Gateway to Africa’s Booming Market
Tinubu described Nigeria as a gateway to Africa’s booming market and urged the island nations to deepen trade, joint ventures, and investment ties.
“Together, we can leverage our respective strengths to attract investment, create jobs, and foster joint ventures that benefit both our peoples,” he said.
*“Mutual Cooperation”*
The President advocated partnerships in agriculture, manufacturing, and services that would position Nigeria as both a supplier and a destination for OECS exports.
“I wish to express Nigeria’s readiness to deepen cooperation with the OECS in mutual interest, including trade, investment, health, culture, education, and climate resilience,” Tinubu said.
*“Diplomatic Ties”
Tinubu formally announced the establishment of diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, calling it a “symbolic bridge” for deeper engagement.
He proposed a Joint Commission or Political Consultation Agreement to serve as a structured framework for future cooperation.
The President offered full scholarships to students from OECS nations to study in Nigeria and announced Nigeria’s willingness to grant visa waivers for OECS diplomatic and official passport holders.
“I respectfully urge a reciprocal gesture to enable smoother movement of officials and foster closer institutional cooperation,” he said.
Tinubu highlighted shared historical and cultural bonds between Nigeria and Caribbean nations rooted in African heritage and Pan-African ideals.
“This occasion serves as a testament to the enduring ideals of Pan-Africanism…among peoples of African descent,” he said.
The President proposed a maritime university collaboration and the extension of Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps (TAC) to OECS countries.
“I strongly advocate for educational exchange programmes between Nigerian and OECS maritime universities to foster mutual understanding and academic collaboration,” Tinubu said.
