On the fourth day of his State Visit to Saint Lucia, President Bola Tinubu met with students and faculty at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries, delivering a message that emphasized the enduring value of education, critical thinking, and deeper Afro-Caribbean collaboration.

Speaking to a packed auditorium at the Morne Fortune campus on Tuesday, Tinubu encouraged students not to become overly reliant on artificial intelligence or technology at the expense of analytical reasoning. Instead, he advised them to approach problem-solving methodically, likening it to following a recipe step by step to achieve meaningful results.

“Don’t depend on AI technology to find you the solution,” he said. “Go through like a recipe in the kitchen, one after the other. Then you solve the problem. Once you solve the problem, you see satisfaction in yourself and pride in achievement.”

The President’s visit to the college—named after Sir Arthur Lewis, the Saint Lucian economist and Nobel Laureate—was both symbolic and practical. It underscored Nigeria’s intention to deepen ties with Saint Lucia in education, culture, and technology, while also highlighting shared historical bonds rooted in a common African heritage.

Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to Afrocentric policies and South–South cooperation, describing the student community as vital to building a stronger future for the Black race globally. “I believe Nigeria will collaborate with Saint Lucia to make a difference in the lives of our Black race,” he said. “In our national anthem, we pledge to hand over a banner without stain to the generation that comes after us. We will give you that banner if you work hard, honestly, and consistently.”

Addressing the audience, he stressed that education remains the most powerful weapon against poverty. “Nothing like education can fight poverty. If anybody tells you that education is not crucial, ask the person to try ignorance,” he remarked. He urged students to be bold, disciplined, and consistent in their pursuit of knowledge, highlighting the importance of perseverance, time management, and critical thinking.

In a gesture aimed at fostering cultural exchange, Tinubu announced that the college’s performing arts group would be invited to Nigeria at their convenience. This opportunity followed their staging of The Drum Maker, a play based on the work of Saint Lucian playwright Kendel Hippolyte. He also clarified that this invitation was separate from the tuition-free scholarship initiative Nigeria is offering to students from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

The event also featured remarks from local leaders. Saint Lucia’s Minister for Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Edward Shadrack, described Tinubu’s visit as a powerful symbol of the longstanding ties between Africa and the Caribbean. “Your presence here today is a powerful testament to the enduring bonds between Africa and the Caribbean—ties deeply rooted in shared history, culture, and aspirations,” he said.

Chairman of the college’s board of governors, Cletus Springer, called for deeper institutional cooperation, proposing partnerships with Nigerian universities and polytechnics for student and faculty exchanges, joint research, and digital innovation. He expressed gratitude for the scholarship initiative, describing it as a vital step in building lasting networks across continents.

President Bola Tinubu with Performing Arts students and faculty of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College during his visit to the institution on Tuesday, in Castries, Saint Lucia. Also pictured (far right) is The Honourable Edward Shadrack, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, and Dr. Madgerie Jameson-Charles (second row, far right), Principal of the College. July 1, 2025.
“We are excited about our students learning alongside their Nigerian peers,” Springer said. “This is the surest way for our respective peoples to build networks that cross oceans but remain rooted in our shared African-Caribbean identity.” He also praised the President for making time to engage directly with the college’s students and staff.

Speaking on behalf of the student body, Students’ Council President Naeem Philbert described the visit as a profound moment of reconnection between Africa and its diaspora. “Today is not just about diplomatic formality—it is a quiet yet powerful affirmation that we have not forgotten one another,” he said. He thanked the President for the scholarship opportunities, describing them as promises of new possibilities for Saint Lucian youth.

The Nigerian delegation included Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Environment Balarabe Lawal, Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps Hon. Yusuf Yakub, and Chair/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Before leaving the campus, President Tinubu paid his respects at Sir Arthur Lewis’s gravesite located on the school grounds—a reflective moment that highlighted the intellectual legacy linking Nigeria and Saint Lucia, and the shared ambition to strengthen those ties for future generations.