Nigeria is preparing to send trained professionals like teachers, doctors, and agricultural experts to Saint Lucia and other Caribbean countries. This move is part of a new Technical Manpower Assistance agreement, which aims to strengthen relationships with other developing nations and reconnect with people of African heritage in the Caribbean.
The agreement was signed in Castries, Saint Lucia, by the Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (TAC), Yusuf Buba Yakub, and Janelle Modeste-Stephen, who is a top official in Saint Lucia’s Foreign Ministry.
Yakub said the deal is a major step forward and follows President Tinubu’s recent instruction to support countries in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) with skilled Nigerian professionals. He described it as a successful start to a bigger foreign aid plan.
The agreement allows Nigerian volunteers to work for two years in the host countries. Nigeria will cover the cost of their allowance and travel, while the Caribbean nations will provide housing and other support. Yakub also said this project helps young people in the Caribbean connect with their African roots.
The plan supports President Tinubu’s new foreign policy strategy, known as the 4D policy – Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography. The idea is to grow Nigeria’s global reach through strong and meaningful partnerships.
Since May 2023, over 300 professionals have been sent to various countries in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Yakub mentioned that the programme had almost stopped before, but President Tinubu revived it as part of his foreign policy plans.
More Nigerian experts are set to travel soon. Four nurses will head to Jamaica, while six doctors will leave for Grenada on July 9. Nigeria is also in talks with Belize, the Dominican Republic, and the OECS to build a broader regional partnership.
According to Yakub, Jamaica has asked for 400 skilled Nigerians. He said Jamaica prefers to hire Nigerian workers instead of people from Asia and is even willing to pay them. He noted this as a proud moment where Nigeria is sharing its talents with the world.
Yakub also shared a story about how a Nigerian volunteer made the Yoruba fabric, Adire, popular in Jamaica. It became so loved that locals renamed it “Jadire” and now make and sell it, even exporting to the United States.
During his state visit to Saint Lucia on June 30, President Tinubu spoke at a joint session of the country’s parliament. He announced a new scholarship programme for OECS students to study in Nigeria and suggested waiving visa requirements for diplomats and officials.
Later that day, Saint Lucia honoured President Tinubu with the title of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (K.C.S.L.). This was in recognition of his efforts to build stronger ties between Africa and Caribbean nations.
