President Bola Tinubu has urged students to remain committed to critical thinking and not allow the growing influence of artificial intelligence to replace personal intellectual effort.
Tinubu gave the advice on Tuesday during his visit to the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Castries, Saint Lucia, as part of his ongoing state visit to the Caribbean nation.
Addressing students and faculty, Tinubu stressed the importance of engaging deeply with learning processes, warning against depending solely on technology for solutions. “Don’t look to AI to give you all the answers,” he said. “Go through the steps yourself, like following a recipe in the kitchen, and you’ll find satisfaction in overcoming challenges on your own.”
The President highlighted education as the strongest tool to combat poverty and build a secure future. He described the student community as vital to forging stronger ties between Africa and the Caribbean, adding that discipline and commitment remain essential for personal advancement.
During his address, Tinubu announced a cultural exchange opportunity for the college’s performing arts group, inviting them to visit Nigeria to collaborate with local artists. This offer, he clarified, is separate from the scholarship programme he recently announced for students from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States to study at Nigerian universities.
Speaking of the shared heritage between Africa and the Caribbean, Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to closer cooperation in areas such as education, culture, and technology. He referenced Nigeria’s national anthem, pledging that his generation would pass on a legacy of integrity and opportunity to the next, provided they remain hardworking and honest.
Saint Lucia’s Minister for Education, Edward Shadrack, welcomed Tinubu’s visit, calling it a powerful symbol of the deep historical and cultural connections linking Africa and the Caribbean. Shadrack said the engagement reflects a mutual belief in education as a force capable of bridging continents and creating stronger partnerships.
Cletus Springer, Chairman of the college’s board of governors, echoed these sentiments, urging stronger links between the college and Nigerian universities in areas such as student and faculty exchanges, research, and technological innovation. He expressed appreciation for Tinubu’s scholarship announcement, saying it would help forge bonds rooted in shared African-Caribbean identity.
Student Council President Naeem Philbert described Tinubu’s presence as a significant moment of reconnection between Africa and its diaspora. He said for many Saint Lucians, Nigeria feels like family due to its influence in music, literature, and culture. Philbert expressed gratitude for the scholarship initiative, calling it a bridge for young people eager to build connections across continents.
Tinubu was accompanied during the visit by several Nigerian officials, including the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa; Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal; Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, Yusuf Yakub; and the Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Before leaving the college, the President paid tribute at the gravesite of Sir Arthur Lewis, the 1979 Nobel Laureate for whom the institution is named.
