Over 3 Million tourists visit Saint Kitts & Nevis Daily: Foreign Minister seeks stronger economic ties with Nigeria

By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

In a significant diplomatic meeting held in Abuja on September 11, 2025, the Foreign Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, revealed that the twin-island Caribbean nation hosts over three million tourists daily, spotlighting the country’s booming tourism sector and its interest in forging mutually beneficial partnerships with Nigeria across key economic sectors.

The high-level talks, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Conference Room, marked a strategic effort to revive and deepen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Saint Kitts and Nevis—two nations bonded by a shared African ancestry and colonial history.

Nigeria, a Powerhouse; Saint Kitts, a Growing Gateway

In his remarks, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, reiterated the cultural and historical connection between Nigeria and the Caribbean, noting that a large portion of Caribbean citizens are descendants of enslaved Africans, many of whom originated from Nigeria.

“We’ve always viewed the Caribbean as part of our extended family,” Tuggar said. “Our mission is to reconnect, to increase people-to-people contact, boost trade, and explore educational and technical cooperation.”

He emphasized Nigeria’s longstanding Technical Aid Corps (TAC) programme, through which engineers, doctors, lecturers, and other professionals are sent to African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries to support development—free of charge.

Dr. Douglas, who also serves as Chairman of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), stated that his visit followed his participation in the African Union–CARICOM Summit in Addis Ababa, which focused on this year’s AU theme: “The Year of Reparations.”

“This is more than symbolic. It’s about economic empowerment, justice, and reconnecting with our African roots,” Douglas said. “Our relationship with Nigeria must reflect our common ancestry and our shared future.”

He added that Saint Kitts and Nevis has maintained diplomatic ties with Nigeria since gaining independence in 1983 but admitted that engagement had waned in recent years—something both sides are now committed to reviving.

Tourism, Agriculture, ICT & Medical Education: New Frontiers for Cooperation

Dr. Douglas highlighted several sectors where Nigeria and Saint Kitts and Nevis can collaborate:

Tourism & Hospitality: Leveraging Nigeria’s culinary richness and Saint Kitts’ booming visitor economy.
Agriculture: Diversifying food production and exchanging best practices.
ICT & Offshore Services: Building capacity in digital services.
Medical Education: Strengthening the existing partnership with Windsor University in Saint Kitts, which already hosts many Nigerian medical students.

He welcomed the idea of Nigerian culinary experts helping to enhance the tourism experience for the millions of visitors his country receives.

“Imagine serving authentic Nigerian jollof rice to tourists on our shores,” Douglas said with a smile. “We have similar taste buds, after all.”

Both ministers agreed that direct or simplified flight routes between West Africa and the Caribbean are crucial to economic integration and cultural exchange. Dr. Douglas called for the easing of transit visa requirements for Nigerians passing through the UK en route to Saint Kitts, as part of efforts to improve mobility between both regions.

Dr. Douglas also raised the need for Nigerian expertise in sustainable energy, particularly in solar and geothermal technologies, as Saint Kitts and Nevis pushes to transition from fossil fuels.

“Nigeria has the technical manpower we need,” he noted. “We are a small country with limited human resources, and Nigeria’s support will go a long way.”

Following the closed-door meeting, both ministers assured journalists of a renewed partnership built on solidarity, shared history, and practical development goals.

“You are part of us, and we are part of you,” Dr. Douglas said in closing. “Let us build this relationship—not just with diplomacy, but with real action.”

Ambassador Tuggar echoed the sentiment, describing the talks as “fruitful, forward-looking, and necessary.”

In the same vein, the foreign minister revealed that over three million tourists visit Saint Kitts and Nevis daily. He further stressed that Nigeria and Saint Kitts would deepen ties in tourism, education, energy, and agriculture.

The two foreign ministers noted that the talks align with the African Union’s Year of Reparations, as efforts are underway to ease travel, promote trade, and boost technical cooperation.