Checkout Magazine has learnt that holders of diplomatic and official passports from Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) may no longer need visas to travel to Nigeria.
There are seven members of the OECS. These are: Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
This new development is courtesy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s waiver proposal.
The president also proposed the establishment of a formal Joint Commission or Political Consultation Agreement between Nigeria and the OECS, aimed at strengthening structured collaboration across key sectors and enhancing the historic ties between Africa and the Caribbean.
Tinubu broke the news while addressing a special joint session of the Senate and House of Assembly of Saint Lucia at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande Resort.
He emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to forging deeper partnerships with the OECS and its member states, spanning trade, investment, education, culture, health, and climate resilience.
“In consideration of the strategic importance that my country attaches to OECS, we have formally established diplomatic relations with Saint Lucia. This diplomatic move is a symbolic bridge that will provide a gateway to fostering ties between us”, Tinubu said.
“To further deepen our partnership, I recommend that our two parties initiate negotiations towards a formal agreement on a joint commission or political consultation—such a framework will provide a structural platform to explore and advance cooperation across a broader range of mutually beneficial areas.”
The president, who is on a state visit to Saint Lucia, was received by the Saint Lucian legislature and leaders from across the OECS, including heads of government and representatives from Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, the Premier of Montserrat, Saint Martin, and Saint Vincent.
Citing Nigeria’s economic reforms and outward-looking strategy since assuming office in May 2023, President Tinubu said his administration is keen on building strong international partnerships.
“When I assumed the office of the President of Nigeria in May 2023, my administration embarked on a series of economic and social reforms… to put the country on the path of sustainable growth and development,” he noted.
He explained that the visit to Saint Lucia was in line with Nigeria’s renewed global engagement agenda and an effort “to explore areas of cooperation and collaboration between the Eastern Caribbean States.”
