President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday welcomed Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark to the State House in Abuja, calling for enhanced collaboration between Nigeria and Denmark in areas such as education, livestock development, and veterinary health.
This marks Queen Mary’s first official visit to Nigeria.
She was accompanied by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as part of her role as Patron of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
According to a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed optimism that existing tensions between farmers and herders could be transformed into productive ventures through investment in education and economic opportunities.
“We can turn this conflict into structured economic opportunity by providing access to education for both farmers and herders,” the President said.
“By doing so, we can stabilise rural communities, strengthen food systems, and lift millions out of poverty.”
President Tinubu also underscored the need for strategic planning as Nigeria’s population is expected to reach 400 million by 2050.
He identified agriculture, healthcare, education, and job creation as key sectors requiring attention.
“Demographics now play a central role in our foreign policy,” he said. “Managing our population growth through meaningful investment is essential for a sustainable future.”
The President praised Danish companies such as A.P. Moller–Maersk and Grundfos for their investments in Nigeria’s agricultural and maritime infrastructure. He also welcomed further foreign investment aligned with his administration’s economic reform plans under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He commended Denmark for its humanitarian support to internally displaced persons in conflict-prone regions and expressed hope for deeper cooperation, especially as Denmark prepares to assume the presidency of the European Union Council and a seat on the United Nations Security Council from 2025 to 2026.
On social development, Tinubu noted that both countries share goals in areas like school feeding and reducing the number of out-of-school children.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, speaking during the visit, stressed the importance of reforming the country’s educational system by integrating traditional Islamic schools into the formal education framework.
“There’s value in the knowledge being passed on in traditional Islamic schools. We must find ways to officially recognise it and incorporate it into the broader education system,” she said.
Queen Mary, in her remarks, expressed appreciation for the warm reception and reaffirmed Denmark’s solidarity with Nigeria, especially in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the northeast.
“I’m here to explore ways to deepen bilateral ties and strengthen cooperation in areas such as the green economy, child and maternal health, women’s business development, and educational exchange,” she stated.
She also praised the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative and announced plans to visit the A.P. Moller–Maersk terminal in Lagos as part of her visit to Nigeria.
