Tinubu receives Saint Lucia’s Highest National Honour

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been conferred with the prestigious title of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL), the highest national honour of the Caribbean nation.

The announcement was made on the country’s official X handle, with the government confirming that its Governor-General officially bestowed the title upon the Nigerian leader.

Tinubu, who arrived in Saint Lucia on Saturday as part of a two-nation diplomatic tour of the Caribbean and South America, also addressed a special joint session of the Saint Lucian Senate and House of Assembly. During his remarks, he highlighted the importance of unity among Africans and people of African descent worldwide, stressing the need for collective action towards a brighter and prosperous future.

“My visit to Saint Lucia is in keeping with the ideal of building the bridge between Africa and the Caribbean and creating a pathway to deepen economic ties and foster mutual cooperation. It also reflects our desire as a people to advance prosperity, sustainable development, and strengthen familial bonds,” Tinubu stated.

The Nigerian President noted the deep cultural, historical, and social connections between Nigeria and Saint Lucia, pledging to strengthen bilateral relations in areas such as trade, investment, tourism, education, and cultural exchanges.

In a related development, the government of Saint Lucia revealed plans to formalise diplomatic relations with Nigeria, aimed at establishing a framework for expanding cooperation across several sectors. Part of the new agreements includes a visa waiver arrangement for holders of diplomatic and official passports from OECS member states, scholarships for citizens of these countries, and an extension of services by Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps (TAC) to OECS nations.

The diplomatic visit marks a significant milestone in Nigeria-Caribbean relations, with both governments expressing optimism about the opportunities ahead.