In a milestone moment for global cultural diplomacy, Nigeria and Saint Lucia have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening cooperation across tourism, the creative industries, and the broader Orange Economy.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the official state visit of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the Caribbean nation of Saint Lucia, underscores a renewed commitment to collaboration between the two culturally rich nations.

Spearheaded by Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, and Saint Lucia’s Minister for Tourism, Culture and the Creative Industries, Dr. Ernest Hilaire, the agreement opens new avenues for shared innovation in creative enterprise, cultural programming, and sustainable tourism development.

This historic accord will facilitate bilateral engagement in areas such as festival exchanges, youth-focused cultural immersion programs, joint fashion showcases, museum and heritage projects, and the strengthening of artisanal value chains. With Nigeria’s world-renowned cultural assets—Afrobeats, Nollywood, fashion, and oral traditions—paired with Saint Lucia’s celebrated community-based tourism models and globally recognised events like the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival, the collaboration is poised to drive mutual prosperity and deepen intercontinental solidarity.

“This partnership reflects our shared vision of reimagining Africa-Caribbean relations through creativity, culture, and innovation,” said Honourable Minister Musawa. “We are laying the groundwork for transformational programs that not only elevate our creative economies, but also foster pride, dignity, and global relevance for Black communities across the world.”

Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Ernest Hilaire remarked that the agreement rekindles long-standing ties disrupted by history, while also setting the stage for future-forward initiatives rooted in common heritage. “Nigeria has long inspired Saint Lucia with its vibrant storytelling, fashion, and music. This MOU is a powerful step in reconnecting our people through art, culture, and enterprise.”

The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy remains committed to advancing President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by expanding cultural diplomacy, driving youth-focused economic development, and cultivating sustainable partnerships that reflect Nigeria’s leadership in global culture and tourism.

By Sandra Njoku-Samuel,
Media Strategist to the Honourable Minister on Media & Communications
Office of the Honourable Minister
Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy ✨