President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been conferred with an honorary knighthood by the government of Saint Lucia, marking a significant diplomatic milestone during his ongoing two-nation tour of the Caribbean and South America.
During his state visit to the island nation, which began on Saturday, Tinubu was awarded the title of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL) by the country’s Governor General, His Excellency Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, acting on the advice of Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre.
A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia described the honour as a mark of esteem for Tinubu’s leadership and a celebration of the growing diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and the Caribbean.
“The Government of Saint Lucia is pleased to announce that, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, the Governor General has conferred the title of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL) upon His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement read.
With the conferment, Tinubu will now carry the official designation: H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, KCOSL (Hon.), President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Strengthening bilateral ties
The state visit, which began with Tinubu’s arrival at Vieux Fort on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. local time, is part of broader efforts to forge stronger ties between Nigeria and the Caribbean. On Monday, the Nigerian president formally announced the establishment of diplomatic relations with Saint Lucia, calling it a "symbolic bridge" for closer cooperation between the two regions.
“This new relationship provides a gateway to fostering deeper bonds between us—bonds of economic opportunity, educational exchange, and mutual respect,” Tinubu said, while addressing a special joint session of the Saint Lucian Senate and House of Assembly at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, Gros Islet.
He proposed the creation of a Joint Commission or Political Consultation Agreement to institutionalise dialogue and structured collaboration between Nigeria and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
Education and development partnership
One of the key highlights of the visit was Tinubu’s announcement of a scholarship programme for students from OECS member states to study in Nigerian universities, beginning with the next academic year.
At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Pierre in Gros Islet, Tinubu described the initiative as part of a wider strategy to enhance people-to-people ties and support human capital development across Africa and the Caribbean.
According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, a joint implementation committee made up of Nigerian and OECS representatives has already been inaugurated to finalise modalities and ensure smooth rollout of the scholarship scheme.
“We must take advantage of the opportunities close to us. The OECS is very near to us in Africa, and I thank them for the opportunity to address the joint session of Parliament to actualise our shared dreams,” Tinubu said.
He added that both regions could collaborate on a range of issues, including education, trade, agriculture, food security, and capacity building, with the proposed Joint Commission providing a framework for sustained engagement.
Courtesy calls and diplomatic engagements
President Tinubu also paid courtesy visits to Governor General Charles and Prime Minister Pierre. According to Onanuga, the Nigerian leader’s engagements in Saint Lucia are expected to lay the groundwork for enhanced cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean, particularly in areas of economic development and cultural exchange.
The honorary knighthood and diplomatic overtures reflect a renewed commitment by the Tinubu administration to diversify Nigeria’s global partnerships and strengthen South-South cooperation, especially with countries that share historical, cultural, and developmental ties with Africa.
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