President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday welcomed Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark to the State House in Abuja, seeking closer bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Denmark in key sectors such as livestock development, education, and sustainable agribusiness.
The Danish monarch is visiting Nigeria for the first time as Patron of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). She was received by President Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
During the meeting, President Tinubu emphasised the importance of transforming Nigeria’s dairy and livestock economy into a major driver of food security, rural prosperity, and job creation. He also highlighted the need to address the ongoing farmer-herder crisis through education, structured economic opportunities, and investments in veterinary health and agribusiness.
“We can convert that friction into structured economic opportunity and provide education pathways—even for farmers and herders,” the President said. “We can stabilise communities, grow our food systems, and lift millions out of poverty.”
Tinubu underscored the strategic role of demography in Nigeria’s foreign policy and stressed the importance of planning for the country’s projected population of 400 million by 2050. He identified agriculture, education, healthcare, and employment as priority areas for investment and reform under his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Commending Denmark’s contributions to Nigeria’s development, President Tinubu acknowledged the roles of Danish companies such as A.P. Moller–Maersk and Grundfos in boosting infrastructure and food systems. He also appreciated Denmark’s humanitarian support to internally displaced persons in conflict-affected areas.
“As Denmark takes up the EU Council presidency and sits on the UN Security Council between 2025 and 2026, we look forward to deeper collaboration,” Tinubu said.
The First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, applauded the Queen’s engagement in issues affecting women and children and welcomed collaboration on school feeding initiatives and efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children. She also advocated for the transformation of traditional Islamic schools through reforms that formally recognise the knowledge they impart.
Queen Mary expressed Denmark’s desire to expand its partnership with Nigeria in areas such as child health, cultural exchange, business development for women, and green economy investments. She conveyed sympathy for those affected by the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria’s northeast and praised the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative for its support to women and families.
The Queen is also expected to visit the A.P. Moller–Maersk terminal in Lagos during her stay.
