Tinubu Embarks on Diplomatic Tour of Saint Lucia, Brazil for BRICS Summit
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Saturday, June 28, 2025, depart Abuja for a crucial two-nation diplomatic mission to Saint Lucia and Brazil, in a move that underscores Nigeria’s strategic push to bolster global partnerships and amplify its voice in multilateral platforms.
His first port of call will be Castries, the capital of Saint Lucia, where he is expected to undertake a state visit at the invitation of the Caribbean nation’s leadership.
The visit forms part of President Tinubu’s broader South-South cooperation strategy aimed at fostering stronger ties with Caribbean nations that share cultural and historical links with Africa.
While in Saint Lucia, the Nigerian leader will hold bilateral talks with the country’s Prime Minister, address the island nation’s Parliament, and engage with Nigerian diaspora and business communities to explore avenues for trade, tourism, and educational exchange. Sources in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that key agreements on cultural cooperation, agriculture, and renewable energy may be signed during the visit.
Following his engagements in Saint Lucia, President Tinubu will proceed to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to attend the 17th BRICS Summit, scheduled to commence in early July.
The summit will bring together leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, with invitations extended to several Global South economies, including Nigeria.
This marks President Tinubu’s first attendance at the BRICS Summit since assuming office, and it comes at a time when the bloc is expanding its influence as an alternative to traditional Western-led global institutions.
Nigeria’s potential accession to an expanded BRICS+ is expected to feature prominently in bilateral sideline talks.
Tinubu will use the summit to advocate for increased investment in Africa, greater representation of developing nations in global governance, and enhanced multilateral cooperation on energy transition, food security, and technology transfer.
The President is expected to return to Nigeria in the second week of July. His delegation includes key cabinet members, business leaders, and senior diplomats.
