Tinubu OECS scholarship scheme to begin next academic year, offering fully funded slots for Eastern Caribbean students to study in Nigerian universities

Tinubu OECS scholarship scheme is set to take effect in the next academic year, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s diplomatic and educational outreach to the Eastern Caribbean.

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President Bola Tinubu announced the initiative during a joint press conference with Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre, after hosting a high-level luncheon with Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) leaders in Gros Islet on Monday.

The President revealed that the fully funded scholarship scheme will enable OECS students to study in Nigerian universities under a joint implementation framework. He described the move as a direct response to the longstanding call for stronger Afro-Caribbean engagement.

“The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States is very close to us in Africa,” Tinubu said. “I thank them for the opportunity to address the joint session of Parliament and actualise our dreams of getting closer to facilitate business and education opportunities, capacity building, and look at other areas of agriculture and food security.”

According to Tinubu, the scholarship programme is only one part of a broader vision. It is designed to encourage people-to-people connections, strengthen economic and cultural ties, and share capacity in key areas such as health, agriculture, and climate adaptation.

A joint Nigeria–OECS implementation committee will oversee the launch of the scheme and ensure smooth admission of OECS students into Nigerian universities starting next academic session. The group will also guide the initiative’s long-term goals and assess future areas of collaboration.

Addressing concerns on potential obstacles to bilateral cooperation, President Tinubu said his focus was on results, not challenges. “I don’t look at difficulties. I look at problem-solving,” he said. “If we take a geometric definition of a straight line, which is the quickest point between two points, if we move on a straight line, we get our goal achieved, and there will be no problems.”

His remarks underscored a commitment to practical progress, resonating with Caribbean leaders seeking deeper ties with Africa’s largest economy. For Prime Minister Pierre, the scholarship was a “timely and practical expression of solidarity,” reflecting shared aspirations between both regions.

“We expect students to begin their studies in Nigeria in the next academic year, based on the President’s directive. This is immediate action,” Pierre affirmed, stressing the urgency and sincerity of the programme.

The announcement coincided with a larger diplomatic agenda that includes visa waivers for OECS officials and diplomatic passport holders.

Discussions on this front are already advanced, with Prime Minister Pierre confirming that countries such as St. Kitts have already waived visa requirements for Nigerians.

“We said that the committee will deal with all these issues, and the first on the agenda will be the people-to-people exchange, which will come with the visa requirements,” Pierre added. “So we hope to have a speedy answer to that as soon as possible.”

Earlier in the day, President Tinubu had addressed the Saint Lucian Parliament, presenting a compelling vision of a revitalised Nigeria–OECS relationship.

His address touched on education, tourism, trade, and direct air connectivity, setting the tone for a multi-sectoral Afro-Caribbean partnership.

“We held a joint session of Parliament where you heard from the President on his vision for the future relationship between the OECS and Nigeria,” Prime Minister Pierre stated.

“We had a high-level luncheon where the President outlined to us how the OECS would benefit from the country of Nigeria.”

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The Tinubu OECS scholarship scheme is expected to open new pathways for knowledge exchange and cultural diplomacy, as both regions look to strengthen historical ties through educational and economic collaboration.