President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday, June 28, 2025, on a two-nation visit to Saint Lucia and Brazil, according to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
During his state visit to Saint Lucia, President Tinubu will pay courtesy calls on Governor-General Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles and Prime Minister Philip Pierre. A highlight of the visit will be his address to a special joint session of the Senate and House of Assembly of Saint Lucia. The session, scheduled to take place at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, Gros Islet, will be attended by ¹ ²:
- Heads of Government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)
- Senior government officials
- Members of the diplomatic corps
- Members of the Nigerian community
- Director-General of OECS, Dr. Didacus Jules
Following the joint session, President Tinubu will hold a high-level working luncheon with OECS Heads of Government to discuss deepening cooperation between Nigeria and OECS. Key areas of focus will include economic partnerships and cultural solidarity. The President will also visit the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries to strengthen educational ties and promote academic exchange.
According to Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s visit underscores Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic relations with Caribbean states, particularly within the African Union’s Sixth Region framework. This framework recognizes the African diaspora as an essential partner in the continent’s development. Nigeria and Saint Lucia share ties through membership in international organizations such as the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations, with a common heritage rooted in African ancestry.
After his engagements in Saint Lucia, President Tinubu will proceed to Brazil to participate in the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro from July 6-7, 2025. He was invited by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, leveraging Nigeria’s status as a ‘partner country’. The summit will prioritize Global South Cooperation and BRICS Partnerships for Social, Economic, and Environmental Development, with a focus on “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance” ¹.
Senior government officials will accompany President Tinubu on both visits, further solidifying Nigeria’s commitment to diplomatic and economic cooperation.
