President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced that Nigeria is considering the implementation of a visa waiver programme for officials of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), as part of broader efforts to strengthen diplomatic and cultural relations between both regions.

Speaking during his official visit to Saint Lucia, where Nigeria formalised diplomatic ties with the island nation, Tinubu said easing the barriers of travel would pave the way for closer collaboration across education, trade, climate resilience, and people-to-people engagement.

Tinubu also pledged to award full scholarships to students from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) as part of a renewed push to strengthen Nigeria?s cultural and diplomatic ties with the Caribbean.

Speaking during his state visit to Saint Lucia on Monday, Tinubu proposed a visa waiver for OECS officials visiting Nigeria, and encouraged reciprocal arrangements to ease travel and encourage stronger diplomatic ties.

He said, ?I encourage the integration of Nigeria and OECS cultural awareness of our shared heritage, values, and traditions among future generations. Beyond education, we must also encourage more frequent visits between our peoples, allowing them to experience first-hand the unique cultural attractions and historic sites that define our identities. In a concrete step towards this goal, Nigeria is open to exploring a visa waiver arrangement for holders of diplomatic and official passports from OECS member states travelling to Nigeria. I respectfully urge a reciprocal gesture to enable smoother movement of officials and foster closer institutional cooperation?

Tinubu said the move symbolizes a new era of partnership rooted in shared history and Pan-African identity.

The president said, ?As one who feels a profound kinship with our shared African heritage, I am fully aware of the historic current that has bound us together, current shaped by the transatlantic slavery, slave trade, and colonial subjugation, but out of which emerged a shared cultural identity, an indomitable resilience, and a legacy of aspiration. My presence here today symbolizes Nigeria?s renewed commitment to re-engage with these enduring times, recognizing the strategic and the emotional significance to all of us.?

As part of the renewed ties, President Tinubu announced a tuition-free scholarship initiative for OECS students interested in studying in Nigeria, particularly in technical and maritime disciplines. The gesture, he said, aims to build bridges across generations and continents through education.

?Today, to continue to promote that, I will establish full scholarship tuition for students of OECS. From cultural and student exchanges, I believe we can promote that economic and cultural understanding that we further strengthen the bond between us.?

Tinubu noted that Nigeria, as Africa?s largest economy, presents enormous potential for mutually beneficial cooperation with Caribbean nations, especially in the areas of trade, education, climate resilience, food security, and digital technology.

In his remarks, the President called for an increase in people-to-people exchanges, promotion of joint scientific research, and the deployment of Nigerian professionals under the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) to provide capacity support in OECS member states.

The visit was also steeped in symbolism, with the Nigerian leader referencing the shared trauma of the transatlantic slave trade and colonial rule, which he said gave rise to a common African identity and resilience.

?Out of that emerged a shared cultural identity, an indomitable resilience, and a legacy of aspiration.?

He concluded his address with a call for Afro-Caribbean solidarity, invoking the words of Marcus Garvey and traditional African proverbs to underscore the value of unity.

?If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.?

President Tinubu?s visit to Saint Lucia marks a significant diplomatic step toward reconnecting Nigeria with the global African diaspora, while also positioning education, trade and cultural exchange at the centre of Nigeria?s foreign policy objectives. (AriseNews TV)

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