Outrage as Tinubu Sends Teachers, Doctors to Saint Lucia

Doctors and Teachers Deployed to Saint Lucia—Nigerians Question Tinubu’s Priorities

In a bold move to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic footprint and reconnect with the African diaspora, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the deployment of skilled Nigerian professionals—including teachers, doctors, nurses, and agricultural experts to Saint Lucia and other Caribbean nations under a newly signed Technical Manpower Assistance (TMA) agreement.

This landmark pact, hailed as a major step toward South-South cooperation, was formalized this week in Castries, Saint Lucia, as part of Tinubu’s ongoing state visit to the Caribbean.

The agreement was signed by Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, Director-General of Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps (TAC), on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Signing for Saint Lucia was Janelle Modeste-Stephen, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation, and Diaspora Affairs.

According to a statement from Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the TMA deal will see Nigerian professionals volunteering in various sectors across the Caribbean for a two-year term.

While Nigeria will cover logistics and stipends, host countries like Saint Lucia will provide housing and local support.

“This is an outstanding achievement,” Yakub stated.

“It comes just days after Mr President’s directive to deploy technical aid to Saint Lucia and the wider Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).”

Skilled Nigerians Heading to Jamaica, Grenada, More

The deployment effort is already in motion. According to Yakub, four Nigerian nurses will depart for Jamaica, while six medical doctors are scheduled to be sent to Grenada on July 9.

More discussions are underway with Belize, the Dominican Republic, and OECS leadership to develop a broader regional cooperation framework.

In a significant twist, Yakub revealed that Jamaica has formally requested 400 Nigerian experts a paid opportunity that could represent a dramatic shift in how Nigeria exports its professional workforce.

“We’re exporting Nigeria’s human capital with dignity,” Yakub said. “Instead of importing labour from Asia, Caribbean countries now want Nigerian professionals.”

He also noted the cultural impact of the initiative: “One of our volunteers in Jamaica introduced Adire, the Yoruba fabric art.

It’s now so popular there, Jamaicans call it ‘Jadire’—and they’re even exporting it to the U.S.

As part of his visit, President Tinubu addressed a joint session of the Saint Lucian Parliament on Monday, June 30, where he unveiled a new scholarship scheme for OECS students to study in Nigerian universities starting from the next academic year.

He also proposed visa waivers for holders of diplomatic and official passports, underscoring Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations and academic exchange across the Atlantic.

Capping off his visit, President Tinubu was conferred the prestigious title of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (K.C.S.L.), one of the highest honors in the Caribbean nation.

The award was given in recognition of his efforts to build lasting ties between Africa and the Caribbean.

This initiative is a clear reflection of Tinubu’s broader foreign policy vision positioning Nigeria as a leader in the Global South and investing in people-to-people diplomacy through education, technical exchange, and cultural export.

The deployment of professionals, backed by government funding, not only opens up opportunities for thousands of Nigerians but also sends a strong message:

Nigeria is not just exporting oil it’s exporting talent, tradition, and transformational impact.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook