President Tinubu’s visit to Saint Lucia: A strategic gateway to the Caribbean and beyond

Wiebe Boer

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s upcoming official visit to Saint Lucia is far more than a ceremonial diplomatic engagement — it is a strategically important milestone that can deepen Nigeria’s partnership with the Caribbean, unlocking broad economic, cultural, and social opportunities across the entire region.

“This visit to Saint Lucia is therefore a strategic window to these larger regional bodies, opening pathways for Nigerian investors, cultural ambassadors, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to engage with the Caribbean at scale.”

Having been born, raised, and spent much of my professional career in Nigeria and being married for 23 years to a Trinidadian woman, I have a unique and deeply personal perspective on the vibrant connections between these two regions. Over the past eight months, I have been privileged to work closely with Saint Lucia’s government on implementing a Universal Health Coverage (UHC) financing project. This experience has offered invaluable insight into the important links and opportunities that exist between Nigeria and the Caribbean.

While Saint Lucia itself is a small island nation with a population of just under 200,000, it holds outsized importance as the headquarters of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), a regional body of seven nations dedicated to economic integration and cooperation. Saint Lucia is also a valued member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which comprises 15 countries with a combined GDP of approximately USD 130 billion. CARICOM represents a significant regional market and offers a gateway to the United States — the world’s largest economy.

This visit to Saint Lucia is therefore a strategic window to these larger regional bodies, opening pathways for Nigerian investors, cultural ambassadors, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to engage with the Caribbean at scale.

Cultural diplomacy and shared heritage

Saint Lucia and Nigeria share a deep cultural affinity rooted in history, heritage, and the African diaspora. Nigerian music has become a beloved staple in Saint Lucia and across the Caribbean. At the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival—the island’s flagship cultural event—Nigerian artists have made a significant impact in recent years. This includes performances by Ruger (2025), as well as celebrated artists Ayra Starr, Kizz Daniel, CKay, and Joeboy, who have brought the infectious rhythms of Afrobeats to Caribbean audiences, strengthening cultural ties and mutual appreciation.

Nollywood films, featuring stars like Genevieve Nnaji and Ramsey Nouah, are widely cherished and form part of the rich cultural fabric shared between Nigeria and Saint Lucia.

Nigerian contributions to healthcare and religious life

Nigerian healthcare professionals are already working in the Saint Lucian health system. The country is currently investing in an ambitious universal health coverage programme which will result in further growth in the healthcare sector. Nigerian medical expertise can help address local shortages of healthcare workers and enhance service delivery — a model with potential to scale across the Caribbean.

Similarly, Nigerian influence is strongly felt within Saint Lucia’s religious sector, particularly in the Catholic Church, where numerous Nigerian priests and nuns serve local congregations. This spiritual connection reinforces social cohesion and strengthens community development on the island.

Economic engagement and sectoral collaboration

Beyond culture and healthcare, President Tinubu’s visit underscores opportunities for Nigeria-Caribbean collaboration across several vital sectors:

· Financial services and fintech: Caribbean banks and investors possess significant liquidity and convertible currencies, making them both attractive investment destinations and potential investors in Nigerian opportunities. Nigerian banks and fintech companies are well-positioned to modernise Caribbean financial systems, expand digital payment platforms, and foster cross-border investment, unlocking new economic growth.

· Energy: Saint Lucia and much of the Caribbean rely heavily on imported fossil fuels, particularly diesel, which is costly and unsustainable. Nigeria, as a major petroleum producer, offers the Caribbean a stable supplier of petroleum and petroleum products. Furthermore, Nigerian renewable energy companies possess the expertise and technology to help Caribbean nations transition towards cleaner, more sustainable energy mixes. Nigeria’s regulatory and technical know-how can accelerate this vital shift.

· Healthcare workforce development: In addition to the existing Nigerian medical professionals, there is great potential for formalised workforce exchange programmes, enabling Nigerian doctors, nurses, and specialists to fill critical gaps in the Caribbean’s healthcare systems. This collaboration supports improved health outcomes and regional resilience.

· Creative industry and sports exchanges: Building on the strong cultural linkages, Nigeria and the Caribbean can deepen creative industry partnerships, including artist exchanges and joint productions. Sporting exchanges, especially in cricket and football, present opportunities to enhance skills and foster goodwill between the regions.

· Air connectivity: Direct air links between Nigeria and Saint Lucia (and the Caribbean at large) are currently nonexistent. Establishing direct flights would revolutionise tourism, trade, and people-to-people exchanges, positioning Saint Lucia as the Caribbean gateway to Africa and Nigeria as the gateway to the Caribbean and the Americas.

The wider Caribbean opportunity: Guyana and CARICOM

Saint Lucia’s strategic importance as an OECS and CARICOM member opens pathways to the broader Caribbean market, where Nigeria can deepen engagement. Guyana — a CARICOM member — currently ranks as the fastest-growing economy in the world, driven largely by its oil and gas sector. Nigerian expertise in healthcare, energy, financial services, and technology could play a pivotal role in supporting Guyana’s rapid growth, creating mutually beneficial partnerships that extend beyond bilateral ties to regional development.

Additionally, Afrexim Bank has been actively working to expand trade and investment between Africa and the Caribbean, facilitating financing and partnerships that can unlock the full potential of this intercontinental relationship.

Conclusion

President Tinubu’s visit to Saint Lucia is a crucial step toward strengthening Nigeria’s engagement with the Caribbean at large. It provides an unparalleled opportunity to leverage historical, cultural, and economic ties into concrete partnerships that promote sustainable growth, innovation, and social development.

By investing in cultural diplomacy, healthcare cooperation, financial modernisation, energy partnerships, and air connectivity, Nigeria and the Caribbean stand to unlock significant mutual benefits.

This visit is not just about Saint Lucia — it is about building bridges between two vibrant regions with shared histories and futures. It signals the start of a new chapter in Nigeria-Caribbean relations, one that promises to carry both regions forward in unity and prosperity.

BusinessDay NG