By Chesa Chesa, in St. Lucia
Nigeria and the Government of Saint Lucia have formalized bilateral cooperation with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for Joint Co-Operation on tourism development, investment promotion, and the advancement of culture and creative industries.
The signing ceremony, during President Bola Tinubu’s State visit to the Caribbean island-nation which ended over the weekend, marked a significant step in advancing South-South cooperation, fostering mutual growth, and creating opportunities for cultural exchange and sectoral development.
Dr. Ernest Hiliare, Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information signed on behalf of Saint Lucia while Hannatu Musawa,
Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, signed for Nigeria.
The MOU outlines specific areas of collaboration including:
Tourism Development – Saint Lucia will support Nigeria in the design of a Community Tourism Programme, share expertise on certification and standards, and provide training for hospitality workers.
On culture and creative industries, Nigeria is expected to share its legislative framework for the creative economy, facilitate Saint Lucia’s participation in Lagos Fashion Week 2025, and support cross-cultural exchanges through events such as the Saint Lucia Carnival and Jazz & Arts Festival.
Concerning Capacity Building, both countries will engage in training and knowledge exchange initiatives in areas including sound engineering, music production, and cultural heritage preservation.
“This initial one-year agreement establishes a framework for deeper collaboration through a Joint Committee, which will oversee the implementation of a five-year work plan with measurable indicators of progress.
“This agreement signals a deliberate shift toward deepening functional cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean.
“By aligning shared interests in tourism, investment, and the creative economy, Saint Lucia and Nigeria are not only expanding opportunities for their citizens but also shaping a model of South-South collaboration rooted in cultural pride, innovation, and mutual economic benefit”, said a statement issued by the St Lucian government after the signing ceremony.
*****
