Abuja: Nigeria has expressed interest in expanding trade and investment relations with Saint Lucia, focusing on key growth areas
such as agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, renewable energy and ICT.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar made this known on Monday during a meeting with Saint Lucia’s Minister for External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation, and Diaspora Affairs, Alva Romanus Baptiste.
Alkasim Abdulkadir, the Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister, issued this statement.
The meeting took place during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Saint Lucia, aiming to advance diplomatic, economic, and cultural engagement between the two countries.
Tuggar expressed appreciation to Baptiste for his commitment to deepening relations between the two countries, adding that the historical and cultural bonds between Nigeria and Saint Lucia are deeply rooted in African ancestry, the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, and a shared British colonial heritage.
He reiterated the existing relationship between the two nations, which formed a firm foundation for renewed diplomatic and cultural engagement.
Tuggar welcomed the move towards formal diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, noting that the Nigerian High Commission in Port of Spain currently provides interim diplomatic and consular services for Saint Lucia.
According to him, the establishment of official diplomatic ties would provide a vital platform for enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Caribbean nations, particularly within the frameworks of the OECS and CARICOM.
He proposed the development of a structured partnership between Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) and Saint Lucia’s Political and Economic Cooperation Development Division to forge their practical cooperation.
Such entails the deployment of Nigerian professionals in sectors such as health, education, agriculture and technical services.
Additionally, exchanging best practices in governance, youth empowerment, institutional capacity-building, and designing joint capacity development initiatives that serve as models for broader Africa–Caribbean collaboration.
The minister advised that both nations explore opportunities in education diplomacy, including scholarships, academic exchanges and collaborative research programmes to foster stronger people-to-people linkages.
Tuggar expressed confidence that the growing partnership between Nigeria and Saint Lucia would bring about mutual prosperity and greater regional solidarity.
He emphasised the importance of cooperation on climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and access to climate finance, stating that Nigeria’s commitment to supporting Saint Lucia’s efforts as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) is a recognition of the shared vulnerability to environmental threats.
He reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to champion the concerns of Saint Lucia and other SIDS on global platforms, including the United Nations and the Commonwealth.
Others include the African Union (AU) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which have “AU-CARICOM initiatives” as part of their commitment to inclusive international engagement.
The meeting was attended by Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, as well as Dr Yusuf Yakub, Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC).