President Bola Tinubu has received Queen Mary of Denmark at the State House in Abuja, calling for expanded cooperation between Nigeria and Denmark in livestock development, education, and sustainable agriculture.
Welcoming the Danish monarch on her first visit to Nigeria as a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Patron, President Tinubu stressed the need to unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’s dairy and livestock economy to drive job creation, food security, and rural development.
The visit was co-hosted by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who is partnering with Queen Mary on initiatives to improve access to education and nutrition.
“We can turn the friction between farmers and herders into structured economic opportunities,” President Tinubu said. “With investment and education, we can stabilise communities, modernise food systems and lift millions out of poverty.”
He said Nigeria was open to knowledge-sharing and partnerships in veterinary health and agribusiness, especially as the country prepares for a population projected to exceed 400 million by 2050. The President identified agriculture, education, healthcare, and job creation as key to managing this demographic transition.
He acknowledged Denmark’s existing investments in agriculture and maritime operations, and praised the contributions of Danish companies such as A.P. Moller–Maersk and Grundfos in improving infrastructure and food systems.
President Tinubu also commended Denmark’s support for internally displaced persons in Nigeria’s conflict-affected regions, and expressed hope for deeper collaboration as Denmark prepares to assume the presidency of the EU Council and a seat on the UN Security Council in 2025–2026.
On education, the First Lady called for the integration of traditional Islamic schools into formal education systems and highlighted ongoing reforms under the Renewed Hope Initiative to reduce the number of out-of-school children.
Queen Mary expressed Denmark’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with Nigeria, especially in the green economy, women-led business development, child health, and cultural exchange. She commended the First Lady’s social intervention programmes and said she would be visiting the Maersk terminal in Lagos as part of her trip.
Denmark and Nigeria have maintained a long-standing partnership in humanitarian efforts and sustainable development, particularly in supporting vulnerable populations in Nigeria’s northeast.
