President Bola Tinubu has announced the launch of a scholarship program aimed at students from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to pursue studies at Nigerian universities, starting in the next academic year.
Gatekeepers News reports that the announcement was made through a press statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information & Strategy.
The initiative was highlighted during a joint press conference with Saint Lucian Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre in Gros Islet. Tinubu emphasized that this scholarship program is part of broader efforts to enhance relationships and promote cooperation in areas such as education, trade, and development between Nigeria and the OECS.
To facilitate the successful execution of the scholarship scheme, a joint implementation committee has been formed, consisting of representatives from both Nigeria and the member states of the OECS, to finalise the necessary modalities and ensure a timely rollout.
He said, “I believe we can take advantage of our presence here to get from the fruit that is lower to us and then reach the opportunity we have right here.
“The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States is very close to us in Africa, and I thank them for the opportunity to address the joint session of Parliament and actualise our dreams of getting closer to facilitate business and education opportunities, capacity building, and look at other areas of agriculture and food security.
“We can easily do that by having a working commission. And we don’t have to look farther away. The organisation itself has indicated several actions. We are moving forward from there. We won’t drop the ball.”
Tinubu also revealed that a proposal to waive visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official passports from OECS countries is being worked on.
Prime Minister Pierre welcomed the scholarship programme as “a timely and practical expression of solidarity”.
“We expect students to begin their studies in Nigeria in the next academic year, based on the President’s directive. This is immediate action,” the Prime Minister said.
He said visa facilitation, along with improved air connectivity and trade, would be a top priority for the Nigeria–OECS Joint Committee.
Earlier, Tinubu had addressed a special joint session of Saint Lucia’s Parliament, outlining his vision for a new phase of engagement with the OECS.
The scholarship scheme and other bilateral initiatives mark part of Tinubu’s broader push to deepen ties between Africa and the Caribbean.
