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NIGERIA SEEKS DEEPER COOPERATION WITH DENMARK TO MODERNIZE LIVESTOCK FARMING

President Bola Tinubu has expressed Nigeria’s eagerness to strengthen bilateral ties with Denmark, particularly in modernizing the livestock sector to boost food security, create jobs, and promote rural development. The President made this known when he received Queen Mary of Denmark at the State House in Abuja. Tinubu emphasized that the livestock sector holds immense potential for job creation, food security, and rural development, but noted that conflicts between farmers and herders pose a significant developmental challenge. However, he believes these conflicts can be transformed into economic opportunities through investment, education, and sustainable practices. “We can convert that friction into structured economic opportunity and provide education pathways, even for farmers and herders. We can stabilise communities, grow our food systems, and lift millions out of poverty,” Tinubu said. The President also highlighted the importance of demographic planning, citing Nigeria’s projected population of 400 million by 2050. He emphasized the need for targeted investments in agriculture, education, healthcare, and employment to manage this growth. “We must manage that growth through targeted investments in agriculture, education, healthcare, and employment,” Tinubu stated. Queen Mary, on her first official visit to Nigeria, expressed interest in partnerships across the green economy, women’s enterprise, and child health. She commended the First Lady’s efforts under the Renewed Hope Initiative, particularly in empowering women and families. The Queen also praised Denmark’s existing contributions to Nigeria’s agricultural and maritime infrastructure, including the work of companies like A.P. Moller–Maersk and Grundfos. Tinubu expressed optimism about continued collaboration between Nigeria and Denmark, especially as Denmark assumes the EU Council Presidency and prepares for a seat on the UN Security Council in 2025-2026.

NIGERIA A GREAT PLACE FOR INVESTMENT, SAYS VICE PRESIDENT SHETTIMA TO IsDB

Nigeria is currently a great time to invest in, thanks to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which has addressed most of the grey areas that previously served as disincentives to investors, Vice President Kashim Shettima has said. In a statement on Tuesday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, quoted Shettima as saying the Renewed Hope administration has laid a solid foundation for investments in Nigeria through critical reforms in key sectors of the economy. Shettima stated this when he received a delegation from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) led by the Head of its Regional Hub, Mr. Hammad Hundal, at the Presidential Villa. “It is an exciting opportunity to invest in Nigeria. The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has created the enabling environment and is still doing so by addressing most of the grey areas that hitherto served as a disincentive. So, this is a great time to invest in Nigeria,” Shettima said. Shettima pointed out that the administration has demonstrated commitment to addressing challenges in critical sectors, including human capital development, nutrition, agriculture, health, education, and promotion of digital trade. “This administration is poised to address the challenges that we have in key areas of human capital development, financial inclusion, infrastructure, and nutrition. In fact, we have no option but to address most of these issues, and we will continue to act in the right direction,” he maintained. The Vice President applauded Nigeria’s partnership with the Islamic Development Bank, noting that both entities are based primarily on the country’s national interest. He urged IsDB to continue supporting key government programs, such as the Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) program, the i-DICE project, and other initiatives, including the development of a Halal economy in the country. Nkwocha noted that Shettima also called for improved support from the bank in areas of agriculture, human capital development, gender inclusion, investment in education and health infrastructure, and nutrition. “Let us cross-pollinate ideas and come up with a design for your Country Engagement Framework (CEF). I want you to record in your Country Engagement Framework, the development of a Halal economy, promotion of digital trade, financial inclusion, and other areas. I urge closer collaboration to enable us to address some of these challenges,” he said. The IsDB’s head of regional hub in Abuja, Mr. Hundal, said the bank was committed to scaling up its intervention through a holistic review of its Country Engagement Framework (CEF) in Nigeria to prioritize key aspects of President Tinubu’s agenda. The bank’s Country Economist, Dr. Obioma Asuzu, presented the CEF to the Vice President, highlighting key strategic objectives, including boosting recovery, tackling poverty, and driving green economic growth.

NIGERIA WELCOMES NEW INVESTMENT INITIATIVES FROM QATAR

President Bola Tinubu has welcomed new initiatives by Qatari investors to explore opportunities in the agricultural sector and assured that Nigeria remains open to strategic partnerships. In a statement signed by Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed his enthusiasm for the potential partnership during a meeting with Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, a special envoy from the Amir of the State of Qatar. Special Adviser Onanuga said Dr. Al-Khulaifi conveyed the Amir’s strong interest in expanding bilateral cooperation, announcing that a high-level Qatari business delegation will visit Nigeria in the coming weeks to explore opportunities in agriculture, food security, and other critical sectors. “A high-level Qatari business delegation will visit Nigeria in the coming weeks to explore opportunities in agriculture, food security, and other critical sectors,” Onanuga said. President Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s readiness to build on the momentum generated by his state visit to Qatar in 2024, pledging to implement all bilateral agreements between the two countries. “We are willing to go further in our bilateral relations,” Onanuga quoted the President as saying. Tinubu directed the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, to work together to ensure the timely execution of these agreements. Onanuga further stated that the President commended the Qatari government for demonstrating maturity and foresight in working for global peace and deserves commendation. “I am proud of your efforts to bring peace and stability to the world,” Onanuga quoted the President as saying. The President also noted ongoing reforms to streamline Nigeria’s tax system, making it easier for foreign investors to do business in the country. Dr. Al-Khulaifi conveyed the Amir’s desire to strengthen the strategic partnership with Nigeria, particularly in peace-building, agriculture, and petrochemicals. “We are proud of the level of relations we have reached with Nigeria,” Onanuga quoted Al-Khulaifi as saying. Al-Khulaifi expressed pride in the current level of relations and looked forward to expanding both government-to-government and people-to-people ties.

PRESIDENT TINUBU EXPLORES ECONOMIC AND STRATEGIC COOPERATION WITH US

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with Senior Advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos, from President Donald J. Trump’s administration in Paris on Thursday. The meeting centered on developing a strategic economic and security partnership between Nigeria, Africa, and the United States, anchored on mutual respect, prosperity, and regional stability. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that the US State Department representative conveyed President Trump’s strong interest in deepening direct engagement with Nigeria as a cornerstone of US relations with Africa. “The US State Department rep conveyed President Trump’s strong interest in deepening direct engagement with Nigeria as a cornerstone of US relations with Africa,” Bayo Onanuga said in a statement. Bayo Onanuga further explained that the US aims to work closely with President Tinubu to expand American investment in Nigeria and Africa, support energy and infrastructure development, and align trade and job creation efforts. Both sides discussed actionable support and shared perspectives on regional peace, particularly in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and across the Sahel. The US recognized Nigeria’s regional and continental leadership, supporting President Tinubu’s interventions to stabilize key African regions. President Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s readiness to build productive alliances with the United States, centered on transparency, opportunity, mutual respect, and outcomes that strengthen Africa’s place in the global economy. Bayo Onanuga noted that the meeting was a significant step towards fostering cooperation between Nigeria and the US. In the statement, Bayo Onanuga highlighted the potential benefits of the partnership, including increased investment, improved infrastructure, and enhanced economic opportunities. The meeting underscores the commitment of both nations to work together on issues of mutual interest.