By: Temitope Mustapha, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen strategic partnerships with global investors, particularly those who share the country’s vision for innovation, youth empowerment, and cultural development.
During a meeting with the CEO of Bestseller Foundation and Denmark’s richest man, Mr. Anders Holch Povlsen, at the State House, Abuja, President Tinubu said Nigeria was fully committed to collaborations that promote shared prosperity.
The Nigerian leader assured the visiting Danish billionaire that his administration’s ongoing economic reforms have created a more transparent and investor-friendly environment, emphasising that the ease of doing business in Nigeria has significantly improved.
“We are a country that is hoping and willing to partner with many people like you, other countries that believe in recognition in placing their value in our youths and particularly innovation and digital economy, and particularly cultural value. Sporting is one of those aspects of Nigeria that we are trying to nourish, and we will partner with you, I promise that.
“(With) the Bestseller Foundation and all the attributes of goodwill determination, resilience in our economy, I can assure you it is easy in and easy out for all investors now.
Highlighting Nigeria’s pivotal role on the African continent, President Tinubu described the nation as a hub for growth and inclusive prosperity, reaffirming his commitment to building a sustainable partnership that benefits both nations.
“The reforms have taken a great deal of time and added value to our thinking and belief in the future. Nigeria prides itself in the continent, and we believe that it is only here that we can energise the growth and inclusiveness of prosperity in our continent. We are looking forward to prosperous, rewarding future for both of us,” the President added
Denmark’s richest man and Chief Executive Officer of BestSeller, Mr. Anders Holch Povlsen, lauded President Tinubu’s leadership, describing Nigeria’s ongoing reforms as bold and meaningful efforts that have attracted global attention.
Povlsen reaffirmed his company’s commitment to exploring new investment opportunities in Nigeria.
“We are here to listen, to learn, to explore the opportunities. We really admire your country; we admire the reforms you have taken the leadership of your country and we understand that this is no easy task but it is meaningful work and we definitely applauded that from afar and this is also part of our sincere interest in coming here and seeing what we can do and we listen to your good advice on where you see we can be helpful,” he said.
Povlsen, who also chairs the Bestseller Foundation, noted that his organisation is eager to invest in Nigeria’s creative, fashion, and sports sectors, building on existing engagements such as supporting the Lagos Fashion Week.
“We would love to invest. We clearly see the opportunity, we see the talent, we see creativity, some of it we admire in our daily life in Denmark, whether is music, fashion, we already taking first steps in investment in future Africa. We are supporting the fashion week in Lagos also.”
Highlighting the growing role of sports diplomacy, the Danish billionaire revealed that his academy currently has three Nigerian players on the national team, describing them as part of the “strongest pipeline of Nigerian football talent” that could further strengthen the nation’s sporting pride,
“We want to be part of what we believe a great time ahead for your country and we really want to explore those opportunities,” Povlsen added.
Mr. Povlsen’s visit reflects Denmark’s expanding economic and cultural engagement with Nigeria and aligns with President Tinubu’s renewed drive to attract strategic foreign investment and partnerships that advance innovation, job creation, and sustainable growth.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced that Nigeria is in discussions with the Danish government and private investors from Denmark regarding their potential investment in the country’s $2 billion fibre-optic network project.
“We are getting private investors to also top up that money; so that is largely where we are pushing to ensure we secure further partnership,” The Minister added.
Olusola Akintonde