By Charles Pemu 
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has told Nigerians living in Saint Lucia that his administration has successfully rescued the Nigerian economy from near bankruptcy and curbed the rampant smuggling of crude oil.
Speaking during his state visit to the Caribbean island nation, President Tinubu emphasized that under his leadership, oil smuggling has become “unattractive,” while his government has stopped chasing foreign exchange speculators at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“We inherited a country that was nearly bankrupt. But we have been able to rescue the economy. Nigeria has recovered,” he told the diaspora community during a meeting held at Windjammer Resort, where he stayed during his visit.
The President interacted with Nigerians on both Tuesday and Wednesday, with the first engagement taking place at the official residence of Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre.
The meetings were coordinated by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), chaired by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who praised the positive contributions of Nigerians in Saint Lucia and thanked the President for engaging with them.
At the gathering, Smart Okeudili Duah, President of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), raised concerns about the high cost of work permits—reported at $2,500 per year—and called for the urgent establishment of a Nigerian diplomatic mission in Saint Lucia. Tinubu confirmed that plans for a diplomatic presence were already underway.
A Nigerian priest, Father Festus Iwuagwu, said the large turnout at the meetings reflected the deep respect Nigerians hold for President Tinubu, while Dr. Olugbemisola Ogunlusi, a paediatrician who relocated from Nigeria 19 years ago, thanked the President for promoting Nigeria’s image abroad.
President Tinubu expressed pride in the positive reputation Nigerians have built in Saint Lucia and encouraged them to remain law-abiding and committed to excellence.
“My plea to you all: continue to be of good behaviour. Don’t break the law,” he said. “Life is about working hard and being consistent.”
He reassured professionals and students in the diaspora that his government would not abandon them and vowed to diplomatically address the challenges they raised.
“It is our job to help you succeed,” he added.
The meeting ended on a warm note as the Nigerian community presented Tinubu with a hand-crafted portrait by Doris, a young Nigerian medical student and artist living in Saint Lucia.