President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for a strengthened bilateral partnership between Nigeria and Denmark to unlock the vast potential in Nigeria’s dairy and livestock economy, saying it could be a catalyst for job creation, food security, and rural transformation in the face of a rapidly growing population.
The President made this known on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at the State House in Abuja during a courtesy visit by Her Majesty Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark, who is on her first official visit to Nigeria as Patron of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Accompanied by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Danish Queen’s visit spotlighted key areas of development cooperation, particularly, in agriculture, education, healthcare, and humanitarian support.
Speaking during the meeting, President Tinubu said Nigeria is poised to deepen cooperation with Denmark on knowledge exchange, veterinary health, and sustainable agribusiness.
He described the persistent conflicts between farmers and herders as both a security concern and a developmental dilemma that can be reimagined as an economic opportunity.
“We can convert that friction into structured economic opportunity and provide education pathways—even for farmers and herders. We can stabilise communities, grow our food systems, and lift millions out of poverty,” he said.
The President emphasised that as Nigeria’s population approaches an estimated 400 million by 2050, the need for sustainable food systems, employment generation, and social stability is more urgent than ever.
President Tinubu lauded existing Danish investments in Nigeria, notably in agriculture and maritime infrastructure, and acknowledged the contributions of global firms like A.P. Moller–Maersk and Grundfos in enhancing Nigeria’s logistics and food systems.
He also welcomed Denmark’s support for humanitarian causes, particularly for internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by conflict in the northeast.
He expressed optimism about deeper collaboration as Denmark prepares to take up the rotating presidency of the European Union Council and a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council between 2025 and 2026.
On foreign investment, Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to macroeconomic reforms aimed at boosting local production and attracting value-adding partnerships.
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, used the occasion to advocate for the transformation of traditional Islamic schools to enable their integration into Nigeria’s formal education system.
She noted that such reforms were vital to reducing the number of out-of-school children and ensuring inclusive education.
Queen Mary expressed appreciation for the warm reception and extended her condolences over the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria’s conflict zones.
She pledged Denmark’s continued support for education, women’s empowerment, healthcare, and cultural exchange noting plans to visit the A.P. Moller–Maersk terminal in Lagos to explore opportunities for green economy investments and trade facilitation.
The meeting between President Tinubu and Queen Mary highlighted the convergence of shared goals in sustainable development, human capital investment, and inclusive growth.
It also marked a significant moment in the evolving diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and Denmark.
As the two nations look ahead, President Tinubu reaffirmed that Nigeria’s demography would remain a central pillar of his foreign policy, a vision that aligns with his broader Renewed Hope Agenda focused on prosperity, reform, and resilience.
