Danish Consul General and Trade Counsellor, Ms Jette Bjerrum, has identified Nigeria's youthful population and rapidly expanding technology sector as key opportunities for global investment. She made this known during an interview with The Guardian Nigeria on Tuesday, where she discussed the country's talent base, artificial intelligence, technology partnerships, and the need to reshape global perceptions of Nigeria.
Nigeria's Unique Strengths
According to Bjerrum, Nigeria stands out due to its enthusiasm, energy, and a large youth population that represents an untapped pool of talent. She noted that Nigerian entrepreneurs are already leveraging technology to address challenges in healthcare, financial services, and the informal economy.
Artificial Intelligence as a Key Opportunity
Bjerrum emphasized that Nigeria must position itself to benefit from the growing AI economy, particularly given its large youth demographic. She stated that tapping into the AI economy is a crucial opportunity, as the world will require significant AI talent, and Nigeria has the potential to produce highly skilled professionals in this field.
Denmark-Nigeria Partnership
On bilateral cooperation, Bjerrum highlighted the potential for talent exchange, technology sharing, and stronger investment links between Denmark and Nigeria. She stressed that Danish investors need to look beyond Nigeria's challenges and recognize the substantial business opportunities available in the country.
“We have technology that works well in Denmark, but it needs to scale. That is where Nigeria comes in,” she said, adding that helping venture capital and investors in Denmark realize the potential in Nigeria could lead to mutually beneficial business ventures.
Changing Nigeria's Global Image
The envoy also called for a shift in how Nigeria is perceived globally, arguing that the country should not be defined solely by insecurity, politics, and negative reports. She noted that Nigeria is often in the news for the wrong reasons, but its tech talent is rarely highlighted. Bjerrum suggested that Nigeria could help change this perception by projecting a more balanced image of its people, technology, and opportunities.
Governor Sanwo-Olu Welcomes Danish Delegation
Bjerrum's remarks followed a courtesy visit to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at Lagos House, Ikeja, alongside Denmark's Tech Ambassador, Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard. Governor Sanwo-Olu stated that the meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between Lagos and Denmark, particularly in the technology sector.
“Today, I received the Consul General of Denmark, Jette Bjerrum, and Denmark's Tech Ambassador, Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard, at Lagos House, Ikeja, on a courtesy visit. We focused our conversation on how Lagos and Denmark can strengthen collaboration, particularly in the technology space,” the governor said.
