…as Tinubu calls for enhanced partnerships with Denmark.
The iNews Times reports that Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday received Her Majesty Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, in what marked the Queen’s first official visit to Nigeria.
The high-level meeting, co-hosted by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, centered on expanding bilateral relations in areas such as livestock development, education, social welfare, and humanitarian support.
In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu highlighted the potential of Nigeria’s dairy and livestock sector as a key driver of economic growth, rural development, and food security, especially as the nation’s population continues to grow rapidly.
“We can turn conflict into opportunity by transforming our agricultural systems and equipping farmers and herders with knowledge and tools to succeed,” Tinubu said, referring to ongoing clashes between farming and pastoralist communities.
The President called for enhanced partnerships with Denmark, especially in veterinary medicine, agribusiness innovation, and technical education, while applauding the contributions of Danish companies like A.P. Moller–Maersk and Grundfos to Nigeria’s economic development.
He also commended Denmark’s ongoing support for internally displaced persons and expressed optimism about continued collaboration as Denmark prepares to assume the EU Council Presidency and a seat on the UN Security Council (2025–2026).
Linking the discussion to his Renewed Hope Agenda, Tinubu emphasized the need for strategic investments to meet the needs of Nigeria’s projected 400 million population by 2050, particularly in agriculture, education, health care, and job creation.
On the social development front, the President welcomed the Queen’s collaboration with the First Lady on issues such as school feeding initiatives and efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu underscored the importance of formally integrating Islamic schools (Almajiri schools) into the mainstream education system to ensure broader learning recognition and opportunity.
In her response, Queen Mary thanked the Nigerian leaders for their warm hospitality and expressed sympathy over the humanitarian situation in Nigeria’s northeast region. She reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to strengthening ties with Nigeria through investments in sustainable business, women’s empowerment, child health, and educational and cultural exchange.
The Queen also praised the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative for its support to women and families, and noted that she would visit the A.P. Moller–Maersk terminal in Lagos as part of her business engagements in the country.
