Acting Premier Evelyn Assumes Nevis Leadership During Premier Brantley’s Official Trip Abroad

Paragraph 1: Premier Brantley’s Trip to Nigeria

Premier Mark Brantley of Nevis embarked on an official overseas trip to Nigeria on March 24, 2025. This visit was undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Terrance Drew of St. Kitts and Nevis, as part of a federal delegation attending a high-level investment summit. The summit aimed to foster economic partnerships and explore investment opportunities between the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and Nigeria. Premier Brantley’s participation underscored Nevis’ commitment to attracting foreign investment and strengthening international collaborations.

Paragraph 2: Importance of the Investment Summit

The high-level investment summit in Nigeria presented a significant opportunity for St. Kitts and Nevis to showcase its economic potential and attract foreign direct investment. Nigeria, being a major economic power in Africa, offers a vast market and potential investment partnerships. The summit likely facilitated discussions on various sectors, including tourism, agriculture, renewable energy, and technology. Premier Brantley’s presence at the summit signaled Nevis’ eagerness to engage with Nigerian businesses and explore mutually beneficial investment opportunities.

Paragraph 3: Delegation and Objectives

The federal delegation, which included Premier Brantley, aimed to achieve several key objectives during the investment summit. These objectives likely encompassed attracting Nigerian investment into Nevisian industries, promoting Nevis as a desirable tourist destination, exploring potential collaborations in areas like renewable energy and sustainable development, and strengthening diplomatic ties between St. Kitts and Nevis and Nigeria. The delegation’s composition likely included experts from various sectors to effectively present Nevis’ economic strengths and investment opportunities.

Paragraph 4: Nevis’ Economic Development Strategy

Premier Brantley’s participation in the Nigerian investment summit aligns with Nevis’ broader economic development strategy, which focuses on diversifying the economy, attracting foreign investment, and creating employment opportunities. Nevis seeks to leverage its natural beauty, stable political environment, and skilled workforce to attract investors. The island has been actively promoting itself as a prime destination for tourism, financial services, and sustainable development initiatives. The summit provided a platform to showcase these strengths and attract Nigerian investment.

Paragraph 5: Acting Premier During Brantley’s Absence

During Premier Brantley’s absence from March 24 to March 30, 2025, the Honourable Eric Evelyn assumed the role of Acting Premier of Nevis. This ensured the continuity of government operations and allowed Nevis to maintain its administrative functions during the Premier’s trip. Acting Premier Evelyn was responsible for overseeing the daily affairs of the Nevis Island Administration and addressing any pressing matters that arose during this period.

Paragraph 6: Expected Outcomes and Follow-up

Premier Brantley’s visit to Nigeria for the investment summit is expected to generate positive outcomes for Nevis, including increased interest from Nigerian investors, potential joint ventures, and strengthened economic ties. Following the summit, it is anticipated that further discussions and negotiations will take place between Nevisian officials and Nigerian businesses to explore specific investment opportunities. The Nevis Island Administration will likely conduct follow-up meetings and actively pursue the leads generated during the summit to maximize the potential benefits for the island’s economy.