Following the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party’s decisive victory in the April 30 general election, 22-year-old Shaquan O’Neal made history Friday as one of the youngest people to ever be sworn in as a senator in the Caribbean nation. Speaking to reporters immediately after his formal induction ceremony at Government House, O’Neal opened by sharing his gratitude for the unprecedented trust placed in him by the prime minister, saying he felt deep elation at being selected to serve in the Upper House of the national legislature. He is among 10 government-aligned senators sworn in this week, and will take up his official duties when the Senate convenes for its first session on May 20.
Beyond his excitement, O’Neal emphasized that he does not view his appointment as a ceremonial honor or a political reward. Instead, he framed the role as a significant burden — one that carries the weight of building a lasting legacy, representing the interests of Antigua and Barbuda as a whole, and most critically, giving a long-overdue seat at the table to the nation’s young people.
“Not to take these appointments as a reward, but it’s a burden and also a part of the legacy that you must be able to represent — not only the presence of Antigua and Barbuda, but especially the youth,” he explained in remarks following the ceremony.
O’Neal laid out clear, immediate policy and advocacy priorities for his incoming tenure, starting with addressing the longstanding exclusion of young people from national governance. He argued that many societies across the region consistently fail to center youth perspectives in key decision-making processes, a gap he aims to close by creating intentional space for young constituents to contribute to national discussions.
A core part of his work will focus on boosting youth understanding of democratic processes and civic participation, with the goal of making youth engagement in governance a permanent, mainstream part of Antigua and Barbuda’s political culture. Beyond civic advocacy, O’Neal also identified youth unemployment and the interconnected social challenges stemming from it as top urgent issues he plans to prioritize during his time in the Senate.
When asked about his first reaction when he learned he was under consideration for the Senate appointment, O’Neal said his immediate excitement was quickly paired with a focus on the work ahead. Instead of celebrating the personal milestone, he said his first thoughts turned to stepping into the practical work of governing.
Looking ahead, O’Neal said he is eager to build collaborative working relationships with sitting cabinet ministers and his fellow Senate colleagues. He shared an ambitious goal: to make his tenure one of the most productive and impactful in the modern history of Antigua and Barbuda’s legislature, proving that investing in young political leadership delivers tangible results for the entire nation.
“I’m excited to see how much I’ll be able to get done, especially speaking with some of the ministers and my senators as well, to see how best we can just make our tenure one of the most fruitful tenures that you’ve ever seen in Antigua and Barbuda,” he said.