Key points
- Danish envoy says democracy drives peaceful and inclusive development
- Denmark celebrates Constitution Day and democratic progress since 1849
- Envoy highlights growing Nigeria-Denmark relations
- New Danish embassy in Abuja expected before year-end
- Denmark reaffirms commitment to cooperation in key sectors
Main story
The Ambassador of Denmark to Nigeria, Jens Ole Bach Hansen, has described democracy as the strongest foundation for peaceful, inclusive and sustainable development, reaffirming Denmark’s commitment to democratic values and its growing partnership with Nigeria.
Speaking at a reception in Abuja to commemorate Denmark’s 2026 Constitution Day, Hansen said the celebration, coming days after Nigeria’s Democracy Day, underscored the two countries’ shared belief in democratic governance. According to the envoy, Denmark’s democratic journey began with the adoption of its first constitution in 1849, although full democratic participation evolved gradually over time, including the extension of voting rights to women in 1915.
Hansen said democratic governance had helped transform Denmark into one of the world’s most peaceful, prosperous and egalitarian societies, supported by strong institutions and high levels of public trust. He added that Denmark’s entry into the European Community in 1973 further reinforced its commitment to democracy, dialogue and international cooperation. The ambassador said Denmark and Nigeria shared common values rooted in multilateralism, international law and international humanitarian law, stressing that democratic ideals required continuous improvement and protection.
Highlighting bilateral relations, Hansen recalled the 2025 visit of Queen Mary of Denmark to Nigeria, during which she launched a new maternal health cooperation initiative and met with President Bola Tinubu. According to him, the visit reinforced Denmark’s commitment to Nigeria as one of its key African partners and reflected the growing importance of relations between both countries.
He said current areas of cooperation include agriculture, maritime affairs, maritime security, digitalisation, technology and people-to-people exchanges. Hansen also disclosed that Denmark would relocate to a larger embassy facility in Nigeria before the end of the year, describing the move as evidence of the country’s long-term confidence in Nigeria and its future prospects.
The issues
- Strengthening democratic institutions
- Deepening Nigeria-Denmark bilateral relations
- Expanding cooperation in technology and digitalisation
- Enhancing maritime security collaboration
- Promoting international law and multilateral engagement
Bottom line
Denmark used its Constitution Day celebration to reaffirm its commitment to democratic values while signalling plans to deepen engagement with Nigeria through expanded diplomatic presence and cooperation across strategic sectors.
