President Bola Tinubu has announced the establishment of a comprehensive scholarship program that will enable students from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to pursue higher education at Nigerian universities, with the initiative set to commence in the next academic year.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference in Gros Islet on Monday, where President Tinubu appeared alongside Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, highlighting the strengthening diplomatic and educational ties between Nigeria and the Eastern Caribbean region.
Program Details
The scholarships are designed to foster deeper cultural understanding and build future generations of leaders that span both regions, according to President Tinubu’s statement. The program represents a significant investment in educational diplomacy and South-South cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean.
The initiative specifically targets students from OECS member countries, which include Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, among others. These scholarships will provide full funding for academic programs across various Nigerian universities.
Strategic Partnership
This educational initiative forms part of a broader package of cooperation measures between Nigeria and the Eastern Caribbean States. The scholarship program comes alongside other proposed bilateral agreements, including visa waiver arrangements and enhanced trade partnerships designed to strengthen economic and cultural exchanges between the two regions.
Implementation Timeline and Regional Impact
The scholarship programme will commence in the next academic year, with implementation details expected to be finalized through diplomatic channels between Nigeria and the respective OECS governments. The program represents one of the most significant educational partnerships between Nigeria and the Caribbean region in recent years.
The scholarship initiative underscores Nigeria’s commitment to expanding its educational influence and fostering international partnerships beyond the African continent. For Caribbean students, this program opens new pathways to quality higher education while strengthening cultural and academic ties with one of Africa’s largest economies.
The announcement reflects Nigeria’s broader foreign policy objectives of enhancing South-South cooperation and positioning itself as a key partner for developing nations across different continents.
Further details regarding application procedures, eligible programs of study, and specific scholarship terms are expected to be announced through official government channels in the coming weeks.