By Augustine Ehikioya
The Secretary to Government of Federation, Senator George Akume, has declared Nigeria views Caribbean as family, not just market, as both regions move to build new bi-directional corridor for healthcare manufacturing, trade, and skills transfer across Atlantic.
Akume stated this in Antigua during Fireside Chat at Commonwealth Business Forum on sidelines of Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting, CHOGM, 2026, alongside Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley and World Trade Organisation’s Director-General, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
“When we speak of Africa and Caribbean, we are speaking of shared history, shared heritage and, above all, shared people. Many Barbadian families trace their ancestry to lands that are now Nigeria. Prime Minister Mottley herself has spoken of her Nigerian roots,” Akume stated in a statement by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Secretary to Government of Federation.
“African Union recognises Diaspora as Africa’s sixth region. For Nigeria, therefore, Caribbean is not simply another market or another partner. Caribbean is family.”
SGF said historic bond must now be given economic future built on South-South cooperation that delivers tangible benefits for both peoples.
“For too long, countries across Global South have depended on others for essential medicines and medical supplies. We must have greater role in developing solutions to these challenges. We must be able to produce more of medicines our people need, and ensure those medicines are safe, effective and accessible,” he said.
“This is what South-South cooperation should mean in practice: recognising strengths we already possess and bringing them together for our mutual benefit.”
Akume noted under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria has made healthcare manufacturing national priority through Presidential Initiative for Unlocking Healthcare Value Chain.
“We recognise that our manufacturers must also look beyond Nigeria’s borders if they are to grow and compete. Caribbean offers opportunity to deepen historic relationship while building new economic connections across Atlantic and into Americas.”
He stressed manufacturing capacity must go hand-in-hand with quality and public confidence, highlighting role of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, in protecting against substandard and falsified medicines and offering opportunities for regulatory cooperation and technical exchange with Caribbean partners.
“As SGF, I also recognise partnerships of this nature require sustained coordination. Health, trade, regulation, investment and financing must work together if ambitions are to translate into results.”
SGF pointed to encouraging progress already recorded in Nigeria-Barbados health partnership, recalling in November 2025, Nigeria’s Presidential Initiative and Barbados Pharmaceutical Inc. signed Memorandum of Understanding to advance cooperation.
“In March of this year, AMA Medical Manufacturing delivered its first shipment of intravenous fluids from Nigeria to Barbados. Air Peace flights connecting Lagos with Barbados and Antigua are also helping to bring our regions closer together,” he revealed.
He emphasised relationship must work both ways, citing Barbados-made Lenstec intraocular lenses have undergone evaluation and early clinical use in Nigeria.
“This is reminder that Caribbean also has expertise and products to offer Africa. We should be building corridor through which goods, investment, skills and knowledge move in both directions.”
Highlight of forum was proposed joint venture between AMA Medical Manufacturing and Barbados Pharmaceutical Inc. to establish intravenous fluids manufacturing in Barbados, with Afreximbank’s engagement in project preparation and financing pathway.
“This is Nigerian enterprise putting down roots in Caribbean. It is opportunity to transfer skills, develop local expertise and establish productive capacity that will remain and grow in region,” SGF said, welcoming agreements being signed.
“Our shared history has given us powerful bond. Our responsibility now is to give that bond equally powerful future. Let us build partnership in which Africa and Caribbean can rely more confidently on own capabilities, respond to health needs of our people and create opportunities for generations to come”, he added.
