President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians living in Saint Lucia to continue being law-abiding and represent the country with dignity. The President gave the counsel during a series of interactive sessions with the Nigerian community in the Caribbean nation as part of his state visit.
During his meetings—first at the official residence of Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre, and later at the Windjammer Resort—President Tinubu assured Nigerians that his administration is committed to resolving their concerns through diplomatic channels.
The sessions were organized by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), led by Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who lauded the positive contributions of Nigerians in Saint Lucia and encouraged them to stay connected to their homeland.
Key issues raised by the diaspora community included the high cost of work permits, reportedly around $2,500 annually. Smart Okeudili Duah, President of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), appealed to the President for the establishment of a Nigerian diplomatic mission in Saint Lucia—a request President Tinubu promised to address.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Olugbemisola Ogunlusi, a Nigerian pediatrician who migrated to Saint Lucia nearly two decades ago, expressed appreciation for the President’s visit. She noted that the Nigerian community felt seen and valued by the federal government.
Another speaker, Father Festus Iwuagwu, described the large turnout as a show of love and respect for President Tinubu from Nigerians in the region.
In his address, President Tinubu encouraged Nigerians to maintain integrity and steer clear of any unlawful activity. “My plea to you all is simple: continue to be of good behaviour. Don’t break the law,” he said.
Reflecting on his own journey as a student in the United States, President Tinubu emphasized the values of hard work and perseverance. He assured professionals and students in the diaspora that the Nigerian government remains committed to their success.
“We inherited a country on the brink of bankruptcy, but we are stabilizing the economy. We’ve clamped down on oil smuggling and ended forex manipulation at the Central Bank,” the President said, adding that efforts are ongoing to improve Nigeria’s per capita income.
At the end of the meeting, President Tinubu was presented with a custom-made portrait by Doris, a Nigerian medical student and artist studying in Saint Lucia.
The engagements highlight the administration’s continued effort to strengthen ties with the Nigerian diaspora and ensure their concerns are addressed as part of national development.
