The Presidency has dismissed rumours that President Bola Tinubu travelled to Saint Lucia for a holiday, clarifying that his visit to the Caribbean country is for diplomatic and cultural engagements.
President Tinubu arrived in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, on Sunday, triggering speculation that he was on a private vacation. However, in a statement on the same day, Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga described the claims as “misguided, mischievous, and uninformed.”
Onanuga said the visit is in line with Nigeria’s foreign policy goals, particularly the “Four D’s” strategy: Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography. He explained that Tinubu’s presence in Saint Lucia is meant to deepen Nigeria’s relationship with Caribbean nations, especially those with strong African roots.
“From Saint Lucia’s perspective, this visit rekindles ancestral bonds and opens doors to new diplomatic, cultural, and economic opportunities,” the statement read.
He noted that many Saint Lucians are of African ancestry, with historical ties dating back to Nigerian immigrants who settled there in the 19th century. These shared roots, according to Onanuga, form a strong foundation for improved collaboration in education, culture, and heritage.
The Presidency added that Nigeria is committed to supporting the African Union’s Sixth Region agenda, which promotes partnerships with African diaspora communities across the world.
Nigeria’s growing cultural influence — through Afrobeats, Nollywood, and literature — is already being felt in Saint Lucia and across the Caribbean, making such engagements vital for mutual growth, the statement concluded.
