President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday, June 29, for a two-nation diplomatic mission beginning with a state visit to Saint Lucia, followed by participation in the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, scheduled for July 6–7.
The visit to Saint Lucia marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s efforts to deepen relations with Caribbean nations, especially under the African Union’s policy of engaging the African diaspora, recognized as the Sixth Region of the continent.
While in Castries, President Tinubu is expected to address a special joint sitting of the Saint Lucian Parliament and hold bilateral discussions with both Governor-General Cyril Errol Charles and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre. He will also attend a high-level luncheon with leaders from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and pay a visit to Sir Arthur Lewis Community College as part of efforts to foster educational and cultural ties between West Africa and the Caribbean.
According to officials from the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority, both George F.L. Charles Airport and Hewanorra International Airport will observe temporary closures on Saturday to facilitate the Nigerian President’s arrival.
Following the Caribbean leg of his trip, President Tinubu will head to Brazil, where he has been invited to attend the 17th BRICS Summit by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. While Nigeria is not a full member of BRICS, it will participate as a special partner country, enabling Tinubu to engage in closed-door deliberations on issues ranging from trade and development to digital infrastructure and global South cooperation.
The 2025 summit is themed: “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for Inclusive and Sustainable Development”, reflecting the bloc’s push to reshape global financial systems and reduce dependency on Western institutions.
