Speaking in Parliament last week, Minister Baptiste revealed that the UWP, now in Opposition, had, in fact, initiated the process of formalising ties with Nigeria during their time in office.

“These same people who have led the song and dance against our advances to Nigeria had themselves decided to establish diplomatic relations with Nigeria,” Baptiste said, citing Cabinet Conclusion 502 of 2019.

He quoted directly from the record: “Cabinet considered a memorandum dated 13th May 2019, submitted by the Department of External Affairs, and approved the request for the establishment of diplomatic relations with Nigeria.”

The UWP, led at the time by Allen Chastanet, was in government in June 2019 when the decision was made. Baptiste argued that for the Opposition to now raise alarm over the current administration’s actions was inconsistent and politically motivated.

“They are trying to make the country believe that this administration’s hosting of the Nigerian President is not in Saint Lucia’s interest and that it is a silly foreign policy decision,” Baptiste said.

President Tinubu’s state visit to Saint Lucia in early July 2025 marked a historic milestone in the country’s diplomatic outreach to Africa. The government of Saint Lucia officially formalised relations with Nigeria and used the occasion to bestow its highest national honour, the Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia, upon the Nigerian Head of State.

Minister Baptiste also defended this move as standard diplomatic practice, noting that it is customary to confer national honours on visiting leaders as a gesture of respect and goodwill.

“It is done to enhance relations between the states, to underscore the close and friendly relations between countries, and to demonstrate the high regard in which the visiting head of state or government is held,” Baptiste explained.

He cited a similar example from July 2023, when Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro awarded Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley the Order of the Liberators of Venezuela (their country’s highest honour) during her first official visit to Caracas.

According to Baptiste, the purpose of these gestures is to deepen cooperation and promote shared interests, not to fuel controversy.

Despite the UWP’s role in initiating ties with Nigeria, the party has expressed “deep concern” over the recent state visit. However, the government insists the visit was an important step in fostering economic, cultural, and political linkages between Saint Lucia and Africa.