CASTRIES, Saint Lucia — In a historic moment of Afro-Caribbean solidarity, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has been conferred with the Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL), the island nation’s highest national honour.
The ceremonial investiture took place on Monday, June 30, 2025, at the Government House in Morne Fortune, with the Governor General of Saint Lucia, Errol Charles, officiating the honour.
The recognition marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s renewed diplomatic and cultural engagement with the Caribbean.
President Tinubu, visibly moved, described the recognition as a symbol of “progressive understanding” and cultural kinship between Africa and the Caribbean.
“I came here as a president, but I’m leaving as a knight,” Tinubu said, pledging to deepen ties between Nigeria and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
“The black race is not lazy. We are hardworking and honest people… we have every reason to celebrate life, opportunity, and excellence.”
The investiture followed Tinubu’s address to the Saint Lucian Parliament earlier in the day, where he outlined a roadmap for strategic cooperation in trade, education, tourism, and cultural exchange.
The Governor General, in his citation, stated that Tinubu would henceforth be formally recognised as “Sir Bola Ahmed Tinubu, KCOSL (Hon.), President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The honour, he noted, was in recognition of Tinubu’s “leadership on the African continent and his commitment to deepening Africa-Caribbean solidarity.”
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre lauded the honour as a renewal of historical ties rooted in ancestral migrations and shared struggles.
“We are proud of our African heritage. This honour represents a step toward reconnecting with our roots and building new partnerships,” he said.
During a visit to the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries, President Tinubu further cemented the cultural bridge by offering a cultural exchange trip to Nigeria for the college’s performing arts group, following a rousing presentation of The Drum Maker.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s free tuition scholarship scheme for students from OECS member states, set to begin in the next academic year.
“Nothing like education can fight poverty,” Tinubu told students, urging them to be “bold, consistent, and inquisitive.”
He cautioned against over-reliance on Artificial Intelligence, stressing the need for critical and independent thinking.
Saint Lucia’s Minister for Education, Edward Shadrack, welcomed the president’s visit as “a powerful testament to the enduring bonds between Africa and the Caribbean.”
“This reflects our shared belief in the power of education to bridge continents and build a more connected and empowered world,” he said.
Board Chairman of the college, Mr Cletus Springer, called for formal partnerships between Nigerian institutions and Saint Lucian tertiary bodies, emphasising opportunities in joint research, digital innovation, and vocational training.
