President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to depart Nigeria for Saint Lucia on June 28 for a combination of official engagements and private leisure.
According to St Lucia Times, the Caribbean nation’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre, announced the upcoming visit during a pre-cabinet press briefing on Monday.
“Two of these days, June 30 and July 1, will be dedicated to an official visit, with the remainder of the trip set aside as a personal vacation for the president,” Pierre stated.
He described the visit as a “unique and historic opportunity to deepen the bonds between Africa and the Caribbean.”
“As descendants of a shared heritage, the people of our region trace deep links to the African continent, particularly Nigeria. These long-standing cultural and historical connections compel us to continue nurturing and expanding our partnerships with Africa in ways that are meaningful, strategic, and sustainable,” he added.
Prime Minister Pierre said he had extended invitations to all heads of government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to join in formal talks with President Tinubu during the official segment of the visit.
The OECS comprises Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
The discussions are expected to explore avenues for cooperation in economic development, education, infrastructure, and diplomatic exchange.
President Tinubu’s trip to the Caribbean follows a two-week “short working visit” to Paris in April. His upcoming travel comes amid heightened criticism at home over worsening insecurity, with nearly 200 people reportedly killed in Benue State on June 14 alone.