The visit, which marked the formal establishment of diplomatic ties between Saint Lucia and Nigeria, is being celebrated as both symbolically and strategically significant.

Pan-Africanist and ICAR President Aaron Alexander welcomed the development as a step toward reclaiming Saint Lucia’s ancestral connections to the African continent.

“Anything that’s been pointed at Tinubu or any African leader is always negative when it comes from the West,” said Alexander.

Alexander criticised Western ideologies that label Africans and people of developing nations as being criminal, corrupt and untrustworthy.

He continued: “Whenever an African leader is doing good for their people, the West demonises them. But I will tell you, we will stand with Africa, we will defend Africa, and any administration that seeks to bring us closer to Africa we shall stand with that administration. Africa is our homeland, our motherland. We must never reject Africa. We must embrace it.”

Independent Senator, attorney Deale Lee, echoed that view, highlighting the geopolitical and economic benefits of deepening ties with a growing global power.

“We tend to look at things that are very transactional; what are we going to get out of it immediately?” Lee said. “But there's symbolism in us reconnecting with our motherland. Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa. It is the most populous country on the continent and is projected to become one of the largest and most powerful nations globally in the coming decades. It helps to get in on the ground floor and start building those relationships now.”

President Tinubu’s visit included engagements with regional leaders, the signing of key cooperation agreements, and offers of scholarships and capacity-building support to OECS states.