As part of his official state visit to Saint Lucia, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu spent Tuesday morning engaging with students and faculty at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC), highlighting a new chapter in educational cooperation between Nigeria and the Eastern Caribbean.
President Tinubu’s stop at the college was a key moment in the visit, with remarks from both Saint Lucian and Nigerian officials reinforcing the central role of education in fostering stronger Africa-Caribbean ties.
Chair of SALCC’s Board of Governors, Cletus Springer, welcomed the President and applauded his commitment to strengthening education across both regions.
“Your Excellency, we believe there is tremendous potential for partnership between our college and Nigerian universities and polytechnics. Student and faculty exchanges, joint research initiatives, digital innovation, and vocational education are all areas ripe for collaboration.”
Springer expressed gratitude for President Tinubu’s pledge to offer fully funded scholarships to students from Saint Lucia and the wider Eastern Caribbean.
“We are excited at the thought of our students learning alongside their Nigerian peers. This is the surest way for our peoples to build networks that cross oceans but remain rooted in our shared African-Caribbean identity,” he added.
Addressing the audience of students, faculty, and government officials, President Tinubu underlined the transformative role of education. “Education is an instrument to fight poverty. Nothing like education can fight poverty,” he said.
Minister for Education, Shawn Edward, echoed those sentiments, commending the leadership of SALCC and its principal, Dr. Madgerie Jameson-Charles, for advancing the college’s regional and global standing.
“The College continues to expand its academic offerings, elevate its institutional profile, and assert itself as a hub for research, regional collaboration, and global engagement,” Edward stated.
He added that President Tinubu’s visit signifies more than a diplomatic milestone.
“It reflects our shared belief in the power of education to bridge continents, build partnerships, and shape a more connected and empowered world,” Edward said.
The engagement at SALCC is one of several key events during President Tinubu’s historic visit to Saint Lucia, further cementing the diplomatic and cultural bonds between Nigeria and the Caribbean.