- The president urged students to prioritise education and discipline as tools to overcome poverty and achieve lasting success.
- He pledged that Nigeria would continue Afrocentric collaboration to uplift African and Caribbean peoples through education and culture.
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Saint Lucia in education, culture, and technology.
Tinubu gave the assurance on Tuesday during a visit to the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries, on the fourth day of his state visit to the Caribbean nation.
He addressed faculty, students, and staff of the college, which is named after the late Saint Lucian Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, Sir Arthur Lewis.
The president described students as crucial drivers of a more united Afro-Caribbean future.
He offered members of the college’s performing arts group a cultural visit to Nigeria after watching their presentation of The Drum Maker, a play based on a work by Kendel Hippolyte.
“I offer a trip—at their convenience—for the performing arts group to come and mix with the talents that we have in Nigeria,” he said.
According to Tinubu, the proposed exchange trip is separate from the scholarship programme announced earlier for students from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
He noted that education remains the strongest antidote to poverty and urged students to pursue their studies with boldness and dedication.
“Nothing like education can fight poverty. If anybody tells you that education is not crucial, ask the person to try ignorance,” Tinubu stated.
He urged the students to value time and cultivate perseverance and critical thinking throughout their academic journey.
“What you get out of this college is your own that you can use to achieve anything in life. Just be determined, consistent, and bold. Be intellectually inquisitive,” the president added.
Tinubu also advised students not to rely solely on artificial intelligence in problem-solving.
“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. Once you solve the problem, you see satisfaction in yourself and pride in achievement,” he said.
Highlighting shared heritage, Tinubu said Nigeria would continue to pursue Afrocentric and South-South cooperation policies with Caribbean nations.
“I believe Nigeria will collaborate with Saint Lucia to make a difference in the lives of our Black race. In our national anthem, we pledge to hand over a banner without stain to the generation that comes after us. We will give you that banner if you work hard, honestly, and consistently.”
The minister of education in Saint Lucia, Edward Shadrack, hailed Tinubu’s visit as a reflection of deep-rooted ties between Africa and the Caribbean.
“Your presence here today is a powerful testament to the enduring bonds between Africa and the Caribbean—ties deeply rooted in shared history, culture, and aspirations,” he said.
Shadrack added that the visit reflected a mutual belief in education as a tool for building a more connected and empowered global community.
The chairman of the board of governors at the college, Mr. Cletus Springer, called for institutional partnerships between the school and Nigerian universities in areas such as joint research, digital innovation, and vocational education.
Springer thanked the Nigerian president for offering scholarships to OECS students to study in Nigeria.
“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,” he said.
Springer praised the president for directly engaging the academic community during his visit.
“Your presence here today is deeply inspiring. We are touched that, among the many options you had for your official visit, you prioritised spending time with us—especially with our students, 25 of whom are here today and the countless others watching online.”
He also drew attention to the legacy of Sir Arthur Lewis and Sir Darnley Alexander, the former chief justice of Nigeria, both of whom have Saint Lucian roots.
He said their lives served as an enduring source of inspiration for educational collaboration between both countries.
A student leader, Naeem Philbert, who is president of the Students’ Council at the college, said Tinubu’s visit represented a reunion between Africa and its descendants in the Caribbean.
“Today is not just about diplomatic formality—it is a quiet yet powerful affirmation that we have not forgotten one another,” Philbert said.
He noted the strong cultural bond between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, adding that Nigerians are seen as family in the Caribbean nation.
“Though our stories have been written on different ocean sides, they remain deeply connected. For many of us in Saint Lucia, Nigeria is not a foreign country. It is family. Its music, literature, and legacy live with us,” he said.
Philbert expressed gratitude for the scholarship initiative announced by the Nigerian leader.
“Your Excellency, your generosity in offering these opportunities speaks volumes. We look forward to building lasting bridges—student to student, story to story. This visit brings with it not only the weight of legacy but the promise of possibility for youth like us,” he said.
Accompanying the president on the visit were the minister of art, culture and creative economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa; the minister of environment, Balarabe Lawal; the director-general of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, Hon. Yusuf Yakub; and the chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
President Tinubu also visited the gravesite of Sir Arthur Lewis, located within the college grounds.
Discussion about this post