By Fortune Abang
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.
This is contained in a statement issued by Alkasim Abdulkadir, the Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the minister.
The meeting took place during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Saint Lucia and aimed to advance diplomatic, economic, and cultural engagement between the two countries.
Tuggar expressed appreciation to Baptiste for his commitment to deepen relations between both countries, adding Nigeria-Saint Lucia historical and cultural bonds is deeply rooted in African ancestry, legacy of the transatlantic slave trade and shared British colonial heritage.
He reiterated the existing relationship between the two nations formed their firm foundation towards renewed diplomatic and cultural engagement.
Tuggar welcomed the move for formal diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, saying the Nigerian High Commission in Port of Spain currently provide interim diplomatic and consular coverage for Saint Lucia.
According to him, establishment of official diplomatic ties would provide vital platform for enhancing bilateral and multilateral collaboration between Nigeria and Caribbean nations, particularly within the OECS and CARICOM frameworks.
He proposed 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 deployment of Nigerian professionals in sectors such as health, education, agriculture and technical services
Also, exchange of best practices in governance, youth empowerment, institutional capacity-building and design of joint capacity development initiatives that would 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, saying Nigeria’s commitment to supporting Saint Lucia’s efforts as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) is in 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 Caribean Community (CARICOM) “AU-CARICOM initiatives” as part commitment to inclusive international engagement.
The meeting attracted Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, the Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Dr Yusuf Yakub.
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