Nigeria, Denmark Partner to Boost Agriculture, Healthcare – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the Queen of Denmark, Mary Elizabeth, at the State House in Abuja, seeking deeper cooperation in agriculture, veterinary health, and sustainable development as Nigeria looks to international partners to help tackle its growing challenges.
The meeting on Tuesday marked the Danish Queen’s first visit to Nigeria, where she came in her capacity as patron of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Tinubu used the high-profile visit to highlight Nigeria’s potential and call for stronger partnerships with Denmark.
According to a statement from Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, Tinubu told the Queen that Nigeria is ready to deepen cooperation with Denmark in knowledge transfer, veterinary health, and sustainable agribusiness practices.
The president presented Nigeria’s dairy and livestock economy as holding “enormous potential for job creation, rural development, and food security,” positioning the sector as a key area for potential Danish investment and expertise.
During their discussions, Tinubu acknowledged one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges – conflicts between farmers and herders – but expressed confidence that international partnerships could help transform these tensions into opportunities.
“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.”
The president also emphasised Nigeria’s urgent need for international support in managing the country’s rapidly growing population, which is projected to reach 400 million people by 2050. He told the Queen that this demographic challenge requires targeted investments in agriculture, education, healthcare, and employment creation.
The president highlighted his government’s ongoing macroeconomic reforms and called for foreign investment that would strengthen local production and create jobs for Nigerians. He sees international partnerships as essential for achieving these development goals.
Tinubu acknowledged Denmark’s existing investments in Nigeria’s agriculture and maritime sectors, praising the European nation’s contributions to the country’s economic development. He also commended Denmark’s humanitarian support for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in conflict-affected areas of Nigeria.
The president expressed optimism about continued collaboration with Denmark, particularly as the country prepares to assume the presidency of the European Union (EU) council. This leadership role could provide new opportunities for Nigeria-EU cooperation.
Denmark’s current membership of the UN Security Council for 2025-2026 is also significant for Nigeria, which has been seeking its own membership of the influential body. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss Nigeria’s ambitions for greater representation in international decision-making bodies.
