“Our Roots Are Nigerian” – Saint Lucian Senate President Welcomes Tinubu with Ancestral Tribute

The President of the Saint Lucian Senate, Alvina Reynolds, has declared that many Saint Lucians trace their ancestral roots back to Nigeria.

Her remarks came during a ceremonial address welcoming Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to a joint session of Saint Lucia’s bicameral parliament on Monday.

Reynolds referenced a British colonial census conducted in 1815, which documented that a large number of enslaved Africans brought to the Caribbean island were of Nigerian origin particularly from ethnic groups such as the Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa.

“Our ancestral ties to Nigeria are undeniable,” she said. “The 1815 census affirms what many Saint Lucians have long believed that our roots run deep into the heart of West Africa, particularly Nigeria. This connection binds us through history, resilience, and shared cultural heritage.”

The Senate President’s declaration added symbolic weight to President Tinubu’s diplomatic visit, marking it not only as a political engagement but also as a reunion of kindred peoples separated by centuries of forced migration and colonialism.

President Tinubu, visibly moved by the recognition, expressed gratitude for the gesture, noting that the Caribbean and Africa must work together to heal historical wounds and forge new partnerships in trade, culture, and governance.

The moment was met with applause by Saint Lucian lawmakers and dignitaries, underscoring a growing movement across the Caribbean to reconnect with African ancestry and reestablish ties with countries like Nigeria.

The visit is expected to open doors to increased cooperation in education, tourism, cultural exchange, and diplomatic relations between the two nations.