On Saturday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu left Abuja for a two-nation diplomatic travel that would include stops in Brazil and Saint Lucia.
The president Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, signed a statement on Friday that included this information.
The trip’s goal, according to the statement, is to deepen Nigeria’s cultural, diplomatic, and economic ties with nations in the Global South. According to the announcement, “new avenues for infrastructure development, educational cooperation, youth empowerment, and diplomatic exchange are anticipated to be opened by the visit.”
The President is making a state visit to the Caribbean country of Saint Lucia, which is the first destination on his itinerary.
“President Tinubu will meet with important government officials while in Saint Lucia, including Prime Minister Philip Pierre and Governor-General His Excellency Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles,” the release said.
According to the announcement, President Tinubu’s speech to a special joint session of the Senate and House of Assembly of Saint Lucia will be the visit’s pivotal point.
The William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom in Sandals Grande, Gros Islet, will host the event.
The release said, “The Nigerian community in Saint Lucia, senior government officials, heads of government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), and members of the diplomatic corps have all been invited to attend.” President Tinubu will have a high-level luncheon with the leaders of the OECS following the joint session to talk about ways to strengthen cultural and economic ties between the Caribbean and Nigeria.
In order to encourage scholarly collaboration and collaborations in education, President Tinubu is also anticipated to pay a visit to the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries.
According to the president, the visit is a part of Nigeria’s efforts to improve ties with Caribbean countries under the framework of the African Union Sixth Region, which acknowledges the African diaspora as a crucial ally in Africa’s development.
After his visit to Saint Lucia, President Tinubu will go to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to attend the 17th BRICS Summit, which is set for July 6–7, 2025. Nigeria’s status as a “partner country,” a membership category below full status, is the reason President Tinubu is attending the summit at the invitation of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil.
As previously stated, the Partner status is superior to that of a visitor nation. The African members of BRICS are Ethiopia, Egypt, and South Africa.
Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance will be the main theme of the 17th BRICS Summit.
President Tinubu will be accompanied on both occasions by high-ranking government officials.
