President Bola Tinubu has announced that the scholarship programme for students from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to study in Nigerian universities will commence in the next academic year.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, speaking at a joint press conference with Saint Lucian Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre in Gros Islet on Monday, President Tinubu said the initiative—part of a broader framework for educational, economic, and diplomatic cooperation—has already begun taking shape.
“This initiative strengthens people-to-people ties while opening up opportunities in education, trade, and development,” Tinubu stated, following a high-level working luncheon with OECS leaders.
He also revealed that a visa waiver proposal for holders of diplomatic and official passports from OECS countries is in progress.
“The OECS is very close to us in Africa. We’re building bridges in business, education, agriculture, and food security,” Tinubu said. “We’re setting up a working commission. The ball is rolling—we won’t drop it.”
The scholarship programme, developed in collaboration with OECS leadership, will be coordinated by a joint implementation committee comprising Nigerian and OECS representatives. The committee is tasked with finalising logistics and ensuring that students begin their studies in Nigeria in the upcoming academic session.
Addressing questions from the media on possible obstacles to expanded cooperation in trade, investment, and education, Tinubu said, “I don’t look at difficulties. I look at solutions. With a straight path between two points, we reach our goals quicker.”
Prime Minister Pierre welcomed the scholarship as a “timely and practical expression of solidarity” and confirmed that student enrolment will begin in the next academic year as directed by President Tinubu.
He also noted that visa facilitation, improved air connectivity, trade, and tourism have been prioritised for the Nigeria–OECS Joint Committee’s agenda.
Responding to questions on reciprocal visa waivers, Pierre said, “We’ve discussed this at the joint meeting. Some OECS states, like St. Kitts, already have visa-free access. The committee will address this issue quickly, with people-to-people exchange as a priority.”
Earlier, President Tinubu addressed a special joint session of the Saint Lucian Parliament, where he shared his vision for stronger Nigeria–OECS relations.
“We’ve formed a joint committee to focus on pressing issues like education, air travel, trade, and tourism,” Prime Minister Pierre added.
