President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to depart Abuja on Saturday for a two-nation official visit to Saint Lucia and Brazil, the Presidency announced on Friday evening.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.
Tinubu’s first destination will be Saint Lucia, where he aims to deepen Nigeria’s engagement with Caribbean nations and enhance South-South cooperation.
During his visit to the island nation, the former Lagos State governor will pay courtesy calls on Governor-General Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles and Prime Minister Philip Pierre.
A key engagement in Saint Lucia will be Tinubu’s address to a special joint session of the Senate and House of Assembly, to be held at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, Gros Islet.
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The session is expected to be attended by Heads of Government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), senior government officials, diplomatic corps members, the Nigerian community, and Didacus Jules, Director-General of OECS.
Following the parliamentary session, Tinubu will host a high-level working luncheon with OECS Heads of Government.
Discussions at this gathering will focus on tangible ways to bolster cooperation between Nigeria and the OECS, aiming for mutual prosperity through economic partnerships and cultural solidarity.
Furthermore, President Tinubu is slated to visit the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries to strengthen educational ties and foster academic exchange.
This visit underscores Nigeria’s commitment to reinforcing diplomatic and economic relations with Caribbean states, aligning with the African Union’s Sixth Region framework that recognises the African diaspora as a crucial partner in continental development.
Nigeria and Saint Lucia share common bonds through their membership in international bodies like the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations, as well as a shared African heritage.
The visit is anticipated to pave new avenues for infrastructure development, educational collaboration, youth empowerment, and diplomatic exchange.
After concluding his engagements in Saint Lucia, Tinubu will proceed to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to participate in the 17th BRICS Summit from July 6-7, 2025.
His attendance comes at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, recognising Nigeria’s elevated status as a ‘partner country’ within the BRICS framework – a category superior to that of a guest country.
South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia are the African nations currently holding full BRICS membership.
The 17th BRICS Summit is themed ‘Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance,’ with discussions prioritising ‘Global South Cooperation’ and ‘BRICS Partnerships for Social, Economic, and Environmental Development.’
The President will be accompanied by senior government officials on both legs of his diplomatic tour.
