“Most of the Enslaved Africans Brought to Saint Lucia Were from Nigeria” — Senate President

President of the Saint Lucian Senate, Alvina Reynolds, has revealed that a significant portion of enslaved Africans brought to the island during the transatlantic slave trade originated from Nigeria. Citing a British census conducted in 1815, Reynolds stated that out of 16,282 enslaved people documented in Saint Lucia at the time, 3,488 were born in Africa, with 34 percent from Nigeria, 11 percent from the Nigeria-Cameroon region, and 22 percent from Congo. She added that the majority of the remaining population, born in Saint Lucia, descended primarily from Nigerian and Senegambian ancestors.

Reynolds made the comments while formally welcoming Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to a historic joint session of Saint Lucia’s bicameral parliament. She described Tinubu’s visit as a powerful symbol of reconnection with ancestral roots and a moment to reflect on the deep cultural and spiritual ties between Africa and the Caribbean, forged through centuries of shared history.

Highlighting the enduring legacy of African influence in Saint Lucia, Reynolds paid tribute to Sir Darnley Alexander, a Saint Lucian-born jurist who served as Nigeria’s Chief Justice from 1975 to 1979. She also acknowledged the continued cultural exchange between the two nations, including the presence of Nigerian Catholic priests serving on the island, such as Father Festus, who attended the parliamentary session.

Reynolds noted that Tinubu’s address coincided with World Parliament Day, calling it a meaningful moment to reflect on the role of lawmakers in serving the people. Commending Tinubu’s record in defending democracy in Nigeria, she said his presence marked an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between Africa and the Caribbean.

Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre also praised the visit, calling it a “moment of freedom and celebration.” He emphasized that while geographic distance may have separated West Africa and the Caribbean, spiritual and cultural bonds have remained intact. Referring to Saint Lucia as a “small fragment of Africa,” Pierre acknowledged the growing impact of Nigerian culture on local youth, pointing to the popularity of Afrobeats, Nollywood films, and authors like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as modern bridges between the two regions.

Pierre expressed gratitude for the contributions of Nigerians to Saint Lucia, especially in areas like healthcare, religion, cuisine, and tourism. He announced ongoing discussions with Nigeria’s Ministry of Health to facilitate the deployment of more Nigerian medical professionals to the island and advocated for a direct air link to enhance trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.

He concluded by expressing hope that President Tinubu’s visit would be the first of many and looked forward to their next engagement at the Africa-CARICOM summit in Ethiopia.

The special parliamentary session was attended by several leaders from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), including the prime ministers of Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, as well as delegates from Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, and Saint Martin.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, described the visit as a strategic move to deepen cultural, economic, and diaspora ties between Nigeria and the Caribbean. Despite some criticism from within Nigeria, Onanuga maintained that the visit aligns with the country’s broader foreign policy goals.