Embrace education for national progress – Tinubu urges students in Saint Lucia

By Kunle Sanni –

President Bola Tinubu has urged students of Saint Lucia’s Sir Arthur Lewis Community College to embrace education as a powerful tool for both personal and national development. He encouraged them to be bold, disciplined, and intellectually curious in their pursuit of knowledge.

Speaking during a visit to the college in Castries on Tuesday, President Tinubu emphasized the critical role students play in building a stronger Afro-Caribbean future. He highlighted the importance of knowledge, time management, and analytical thinking, especially in an era dominated by artificial intelligence.

“Nothing like education can fight poverty,” the President told the students. “If anybody tells you education is not crucial, ask the person to try ignorance.”

The visit was part of the fourth day of President Tinubu’s official State Visit to Saint Lucia, where he reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening cooperation with the Caribbean nation in education, culture, and technology.

During an interactive session with faculty and students, the President announced a cultural exchange opportunity for the college’s performing arts group, following their performance of The Drum Maker, inspired by Saint Lucian playwright Kendel Hippolyte.

“I offer a trip—at their convenience—for the performing arts group to come and mix with the talents that we have in Nigeria,” he said, noting that this opportunity is separate from the tuition-free scholarship initiative for students from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

President Tinubu also warned students against over-reliance on artificial intelligence tools, stressing the importance of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. “Don’t depend on AI technology to find you the solution,” he said. “Go through it like a recipe—one step at a time—then you solve the problem.”

The visit was marked by cultural warmth and strong reaffirmations of the shared identity between Africa and the Caribbean. Edward Shadrack, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Education and Innovation, described the occasion as a reaffirmation of the historical ties between both regions.