Tinubu receives hero’s welcome at Saint Lucia ahead of BRICS Summit

Tinubu receives hero’s welcome at Saint Lucia ahead of BRICS Summit

President Bola Tinubu arrived in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. local time, commencing the first leg of his two-nation tour to the Caribbean and South America.

A statement issued by Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga on Saturday, said upon his arrival at Hewanorra International Airport, the Nigerian leader was received with full military honours by the Governor-General of Saint Lucia, His Excellency Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre.

The visit officially begins on Sunday, when President Tinubu is scheduled to pay courtesy visits to both the Governor-General and the Prime Minister.

On Monday, he will address a special joint session of Saint Lucia’s Senate and House of Assembly, in a ceremonial gathering at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, Gros Islet.

Dignitaries expected at the event include Heads of Government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), senior Saint Lucian officials, members of the diplomatic corps, the Nigerian community in Saint Lucia, and the Director-General of the OECS, Dr. Didacus Jules.

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Following the parliamentary session, President Tinubu will host a high-level working luncheon with OECS leaders to discuss enhanced cooperation between Nigeria and the Caribbean bloc, with emphasis on economic partnerships and cultural solidarity for shared prosperity.

Also on his itinerary is a visit to the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries, aimed at fostering educational collaboration and academic exchange programmes between Nigeria and Caribbean institutions.

President Tinubu’s visit highlights Nigeria’s strategic intent to deepen ties with Caribbean nations, particularly under the African Union’s Sixth Region framework, which acknowledges the African diaspora as a vital development partner.

After concluding his engagements in Saint Lucia, the President will travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to attend the 17th BRICS Summit scheduled for July 6–7, 2025.

President Tinubu’s participation in the BRICS Summit follows an invitation from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Nigeria will attend as a ‘partner country,’ a status above that of a guest, but not yet a full member.

Currently, South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia are the only African nations with full BRICS membership.

The 2025 BRICS Summit will be held under the theme: “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.”

Core discussions will focus on enhancing Global South solidarity and expanding BRICS partnerships to advance social, economic, and environmental development.

Tinubu receives hero’s welcome at Saint Lucia ahead of BRICS Summit