Alvina Reynolds, President of the Saint Lucian Senate, says historical records show that many of the Africans enslaved and brought to the Caribbean islands were Nigerians.
She cited an 1815 British census that documented 3,488 enslaved persons born in Africa, out of 16,282 total.
“Of these, 34% were from Nigeria, 11% from Nigeria-Cameroon, and 22% from Congo,” she said. Most of the rest were born in Saint Lucia, with their ancestors traced to “Senegambia and Nigeria.”
Reynolds made these remarks on Monday during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the island’s bicameral parliament, describing it as both “historic” and “symbolic of a deeper reconnection with ancestral roots.”
Centuries-Old Bonds Rekindled by Tinubu’s Visit
She noted that the transatlantic slave trade, which spanned over 350 years, created lasting cultural and spiritual links between Africa and the Caribbean.
“Your presence today rekindles a mission to reunite us with our homeland and for our people to work together,” Reynolds said.
She paid tribute to Sir Darnley Alexander, a Saint Lucian jurist who moved to Nigeria in 1957 and later became the country’s Chief Justice.
She also recognised the continuing connection through Catholic priests from Nigeria who now serve in Saint Lucia.
One of them, Father Festus, was present at the joint sitting of the parliament on what Reynolds called “a day of reflection for lawmakers” as they marked World Parliament Day.
Pierre Calls Visit a Moment of Freedom and Celebration
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre welcomed Tinubu with warm praise and historical reflection.
“Our people have been separated, but nothing has ever been able to separate us spiritually and culturally from West Africa,” he said.
He described Saint Lucia as “a small fragment of Africa,” and thanked the Nigerian community for their growing contributions to the island’s social and economic life.
“We warmly welcome every Nigerian hand of support and embrace with gratitude their contributions to Saint Lucia’s cultural, social, and economic development,” he said.
Pierre praised the influence of Nigerian pop culture, saying young people in Saint Lucia were reconnecting with Africa through Afrobeats and Nollywood.
“Today, the young people of Saint Lucia have rediscovered Afrobeats and Nigerian Nollywood films as the new vehicles through which they have reconnected to the African continent,” he said.
Saint Lucia Seeks Stronger Ties With Nigeria
Pierre called for deeper cooperation between both nations in sectors like tourism, air travel, health, creative industries, renewable energy, and fintech.
He announced that Saint Lucia is finalising an agreement with Nigeria’s Ministry of Health to deploy Nigerian medical professionals.
He also urged the creation of a direct air link, saying, “Establishing a direct air link would boost tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between our peoples.”
He concluded with hope that Tinubu’s visit would not be the last, adding that he looked forward to the Africa-CARICOM Summit in Ethiopia.
Leaders from other Eastern Caribbean nations — including Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Kitts and Nevis — attended the session, showing the regional weight of the occasion.
On Saturday, Tinubu’s special adviser, Bayo Onanuga, called the visit a step towards deepening Nigeria’s cultural, diaspora, and economic ties with the Caribbean — despite criticism from some Nigerians.
According to Onanuga, the visit aligns with Nigeria’s long-term strategic foreign policy objectives.
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