President Bola Tinubu recently received Her Majesty Mary Elizabeth, Queen of Denmark, at the State House, Abuja, marking the Danish monarch’s historic first visit to Nigeria.
The meeting, co-hosted by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, focused on strengthening bilateral ties with an emphasis on livestock development, education, and social welfare. Denmark has a longstanding partnership with Nigeria in advancing sustainable development and humanitarian support, particularly for internally displaced persons in conflict-affected regions.
According to a statement issued by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu underscored the vast potential of Nigeria’s dairy and livestock economy, especially given the country’s rapidly growing population. He described the sector as a critical driver for job creation, rural development, and national food security.
“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, referring to ongoing conflicts between farmers and herders as challenges that can be transformed through investment and modernisation. Highlighting Nigeria’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Denmark, President Tinubu called for expanded partnerships in knowledge transfer, veterinary health, and sustainable agribusiness practices.
He praised Danish investments in Nigeria, notably by companies such as A.P. Møller–Maersk and Grundfos, for their contributions to infrastructure and the food system. He also acknowledged Denmark’s humanitarian support for internally displaced persons in conflict zones, expressing optimism for continued collaboration as Denmark assumes the EU Council presidency and a seat on the UN Security Council in 2025–2026.
President Tinubu linked these efforts to his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasising that managing Nigeria’s projected population of 400 million by 2050 requires targeted investments in agriculture, education, healthcare, and employment. He called for foreign investment that bolsters local production and job creation.
On the social front, the President welcomed the partnership between Her Majesty and Nigeria’s First Lady, particularly on initiatives such as school feeding programmes and the reduction of out-of-school children. The First Lady, Mrs Tinubu, emphasised the need to transform traditional Islamic schools to ensure formal recognition of the knowledge they offer as part of broader educational reforms. Queen Mary thanked President Tinubu and the First Lady for the reception and expressed sympathy over the crisis in north-east Nigeria. She stated that she was in Nigeria to strengthen relations, explore investment opportunities in the green economy, promote trade and business development, and initiate initiatives focused on women’s health, child health, and cultural and educational exchanges. She applauded the First Lady’s support for women and families with her Renewed Hope Initiative Programme. She also said she would visit the A.P. Moller–Maersk terminal in Lagos on a business trip.