President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Prime Minister Terrance Michael Drew of Saint Kitts and Nevis have agreed to exchange special envoys in a renewed push to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and the Caribbean nation.
Drew disclosed the development to journalists following a meeting with Tinubu in Abuja, describing the move as a strategic step toward deepening bilateral cooperation and ensuring effective implementation of joint initiatives.
The Caribbean nation, a dual-island state located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, gained independence in 1983 and has a population of fewer than 47,000 people.
According to the Prime Minister, both leaders reviewed ongoing partnerships and identified new areas of collaboration aimed at delivering concrete benefits not only to their countries but also to the wider Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African continent.
“We have agreed that there will be a special envoy to Saint Kitts and Nevis, and likewise, a special envoy here in Nigeria to further strengthen collaboration and ensure tangible outcomes,” Drew said.
He described Nigeria as a globally significant nation and commended Tinubu’s leadership style, noting his openness and commitment to advancing Africa-Caribbean relations.
Drew also highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between both nations, revealing that many citizens of Saint Kitts and Nevis trace their ancestry to Calabar in southern Nigeria.
“This is home for us. Many of our people originated from Calabar, so in many ways, we are reconnecting with our roots,” he said.
On the scope of cooperation, the Prime Minister listed cultural exchange, education, agriculture, food security and broader development partnerships as key focus areas.
He noted that existing collaborations, particularly in health and education, are already yielding results, with Nigerian-trained professionals contributing significantly to development in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
“A number of Nigerians have studied in our country, and many are now practicing doctors. We’ve already seen tangible benefits from this relationship, and we are now scaling it up,” he added.
Drew recalled his participation in the 2025 Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit in Abuja as a major milestone in strengthening ties, while also referencing Tinubu’s historic state visit to the Caribbean in June 2025, where the Nigerian leader engaged regional stakeholders and addressed parliament in Saint Lucia.