During his state visit to Saint Lucia, President Bola Tinubu delivered a heartfelt message to students of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, urging them to embrace education as the strongest tool to fight poverty and build a brighter future.

Speaking to a lively audience of students, faculty, and government officials in Castries on Tuesday, Tinubu described education as the “most powerful weapon” anyone can wield against hardship. He encouraged young people to be bold, disciplined, and relentless in their pursuit of knowledge.

“Nothing like education can fight poverty. If anyone tells you it’s not crucial, ask them to try ignorance,” Tinubu quipped, drawing smiles and applause from the audience.

He also cautioned against relying too heavily on artificial intelligence. Instead, he urged students to sharpen their analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. “Don’t depend on AI to give you all the answers. Work through problems step by step. The satisfaction you get from solving them yourself is priceless,” he said.

In a move that delighted many, Tinubu announced a new scholarship program for students from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to study in Nigerian universities starting next academic year. He also extended a special invitation to the college’s performing arts group to visit Nigeria for a cultural exchange, inspired by their captivating performance of The Drum Maker.

The visit underscored the deep historical and cultural ties between Africa and the Caribbean. Saint Lucia’s Education Minister, Edward Shadrack, praised the visit as a powerful symbol of unity, while the college’s board chair, Cletus Springer, called for more partnerships with Nigerian institutions in research, innovation, and vocational training.

Students were especially moved. Naeem Philbert, President of the Students’ Council, described Tinubu’s visit as more than a diplomatic stop—it was a meaningful reconnection with Africa. “Nigeria isn’t foreign to us. It’s family. Its music, stories, and spirit live with us,” he said.

Before leaving, Tinubu paid his respects at the gravesite of Sir Arthur Lewis, the Nobel Laureate in Economics after whom the college is named. His visit left many hopeful that new bridges will be built across the Atlantic—student to student, story to story—reaffirming the shared destiny of Africa and its Caribbean diaspora.