By Prosper Mene
In an address to a joint session of Saint Lucia’s bicameral parliament, Senate President Alvina Reynolds pointed out the profound ancestral ties between Saint Lucia and Nigeria, citing a British census from 1815 that revealed most of the island’s formerly enslaved residents were of Nigerian origin. The remarks came during a historic state visit by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, marking the first time a Nigerian leader has officially visited the Caribbean nation. Reynolds referenced the 1815 census, which recorded 16,282 enslaved people in Saint Lucia, of whom 3,488 were born in Africa. Of these, 34% hailed from Nigeria, 11% from the Nigeria-Cameroon region, and 22% from the Congo, with the remaining 12,794 born locally but primarily descended from Senegambia and Nigeria. “The legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, spanning over 350 years, forged an unbreakable historical and cultural link between Africa and the Caribbean,” Reynolds declared, pointing out the enduring connection between the two regions.
The visit, described as a “symbolic moment of cultural reconnection,” highlighted shared history and mutual aspirations. Reynolds paid tribute to Sir Darnley Alexander, a Saint Lucian who served as Nigeria’s Chief Justice from 1975 to 1979, the only non-Nigerian to hold the post in the country’s post-independence history. She also noted the contributions of Nigerian Catholic priests serving in Saint Lucia, including Father Festus, who attended the session as a special guest.
Saint Lucian Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre repeated Reynolds’ sentiments, calling the visit a “moment of freedom and celebration” and describing Saint Lucia as “a small fragment of Africa” with a “genetic Nigerian connection that cannot be erased.” In a lighthearted comparison, Pierre noted that Saint Lucia’s population is smaller than that of Eti-Osa Local Government in Lagos State, yet emphasized the island’s pride as a sovereign nation with a deep connection to Nigeria and West Africa.
President Tinubu’s visit, a broader effort to strengthen Nigeria’s ties with the Caribbean, included discussions on cooperation in tourism, air connectivity, creative industries, sports, banking, fintech, renewable energy, and medical collaboration. An agreement to deploy Nigerian medical professionals to Saint Lucia is also being finalized, kickstarting a new chapter in bilateral relations.
The event, which coincided with World Parliament Day, saw Tinubu praised as a “fighter for democracy” by local commentators. Over 300 guests, including diplomats and members of the Nigerian community in Saint Lucia, attended the session, reflecting growing interest in a Nigeria-Caribbean alliance built on shared heritage and mutual respect.
As Saint Lucia and Nigeria deepen their diplomatic and cultural ties, Reynolds’ address serves as a vital reminder of the island’s African roots, with Nigeria’s influence over its history and identity.
