President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening educational, cultural, and technological ties with Saint Lucia, described education as the greatest tool for transformation and development.
Speaking on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, during a visit to the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Morne Fortune, Castries, President Tinubu engaged with students, faculty, and staff as part of his ongoing State Visit to the Caribbean nation.
Addressing the gathering, the Nigerian leader described students as pivotal to shaping a more united Afro-Caribbean future and announced a cultural exchange opportunity for the college’s performing arts group. He extended an invitation for the group to visit Nigeria for cultural interaction and artistic collaboration, describing it as separate from the already announced tuition-free scholarship programme for students from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
“I offer a trip—at their convenience—for the performing arts group to come and mix with the talents that we have in Nigeria,” President Tinubu said.
He emphasized the importance of education in fighting poverty and urged students to remain bold, inquisitive, and consistent in their academic pursuits.
“Nothing like education can fight poverty. If anybody tells you that education is not crucial, ask the person to try ignorance,” the President said, drawing laughter and applause from the audience.
He advised the students to avoid over reliance on artificial intelligence tools, encouraged analytical reasoning, time management, and personal discipline as keys to lifelong achievement.
“Don’t depend on AI technology to find you the solution. Go through like a recipe in the kitchen, one after the other. Then you solve the problem,” he added.
President Tinubu also highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between Africa and the Caribbean, pledged Nigeria’s continued support for Afrocentric development and South-South cooperation.
“We will give you that banner without stain if you work hard, honestly, and consistently,” he said, referencing Nigeria’s national anthem.
Saint Lucia’s Minister for Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Hon. Edward Shadrack, hailed the visit as a significant milestone in Africa-Caribbean relations, describing it as “a powerful testament to the enduring bonds” between the two regions.
Mr. Cletus Springer, Chairman of the college’s board of governors, called for stronger academic partnerships with Nigerian institutions through student and faculty exchanges, collaborative research, and enhanced technical and vocational training. He also lauded the scholarship scheme and President Tinubu’s personal engagement with the students.
“We are excited about our students learning alongside their Nigerian peers. This is the surest way for our respective peoples to build networks that cross oceans but remain rooted in our shared African-Caribbean identity,” Springer said.
Representing the student body, Naeem Philbert, President of the Students’ Council at SALCC, described the visit as a symbolic reconnection between Africa and its diaspora.
“Today is not just about diplomatic formality—it is a quiet yet powerful affirmation that we have not forgotten one another,” Philbert said. “For many of us in Saint Lucia, Nigeria is not a foreign country. It is family.”
President Tinubu was accompanied on the visit by Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa; Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal; Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, Hon. Yusuf Yakub; and Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Before departing the institution, the President paid his respect at the gravesite of the Nobel Laureate and Saint Lucia’s national icon, Sir Arthur Lewis, located on the college grounds.
