Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J. Pierre, has issued a strong rebuke to critics of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to the Caribbean island, calling the backlash “shameful” and a reflection of the “destructive legacies of slavery and self-hatred.”
Speaking during the 2025 Emancipation Day celebrations in Castries on August 1, Pierre condemned the politically charged criticism directed at Tinubu, emphasizing that the historic visit should be viewed as a moment of unity and renewed Afro-Caribbean solidarity.
“The vilification and denigration of the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, by a politically motivated group, tacitly supported by the opposition party, was another demonstration of the harmful effects of the legacy of slavery: self-hate and a readiness to accept African people and their descendants as inferior,” Pierre stated.
He went on to describe the response as deeply disappointing, adding, “Had the visit been by a Head of State from another country, the reception from that group would have been at the very least respectful.”
Pierre highlighted Tinubu’s trip as a milestone in Saint Lucia’s engagement with Africa, citing the signing of multiple memoranda of understanding (MOUs) aimed at enhancing economic, cultural, and educational cooperation between Nigeria, Saint Lucia, and the wider Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
“The government and people of Saint Lucia have been honoured by the visit of your President,” he said. “My administration will do its best to ensure that those MOUs bear fruit at the earliest opportunity.”
He stressed that the visit had reignited a shared cultural and ancestral connection between the Caribbean and Africa, adding that such efforts are essential to confronting and overcoming colonial-era mindsets.
Marking the 191st anniversary of the abolition of slavery, Pierre urged Saint Lucians to reflect on the psychological and structural residues of colonialism, while promoting African pride and unity.
“As we honour the sacred memory of our ancestors, we are not only looking back, we are reaching forward,” he said, noting that remnants of colonial influence still fuel internalized inferiority and disrespect for African heritage.
He warned that some in the society continue to be influenced by outdated colonial ideologies, resulting in self-doubt and resistance to progress.
President Tinubu’s visit, widely viewed as a strategic effort to expand Nigeria’s diplomatic reach in the Caribbean, saw the signing of cooperation agreements in key sectors such as tourism, education, trade, and cultural exchange.
Pierre’s remarks made it clear that Saint Lucia would not allow “self-hate narratives” to hinder the nation’s growing relationship with Nigeria and the African continent.