Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed his administration’s willingness to expand its relationship with the Netherlands in different sectors, especially agriculture, ostensibly to ensure food security in the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu gave this commitment through the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, who received on his behalf the Netherlands Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Mr. Geoffrey Leeuwen, and his contemporary in Migration, Mr. Eric van der Burg, at his official residence in Osborne-Ikoyi, recalling that the bilateral relationship had existed between Nigeria and the Netherlands for over 400 years.
Sanwo-Olu assured that his administration was ready to strengthen the existing relationship with the Netherlands in different sectors like agriculture, technology, healthcare, circular economy, energy, among others.
“We are willing to implement some of the lessons we have learned from the Netherlands, particularly to enhance food production, storage, amongst others,” the governor said.
On the existing relationships between Lagos and the Netherlands, Governor Sanwo-Olu recalled that the simulation for Eco-Atlantic was done in the Netherlands by a Dutch company, adding that they were still here to ensure that both countries have a lot of history of the relationship.
“The simulation for Eco-Atlantic was done in the Netherlands by a Dutch company and they are still here, so that both countries have a lot of history of the relationship and of course here in Lagos,” he said.
The governor, while expressing hope that the trade flow between both countries increases, disclosed that the balance of trade flow between both countries in 2022 was at 8 billion euros, with the hope that it would increase to 16 billion euros.
“It is for this reason we have brought experts in different areas to actualize this collaboration,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The Netherlands Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, HR Geoffrey van Leeuwen, earlier in his remarks, stated that the Dutch government was committed to promoting sustainable, inclusive growth and transitions in Nigeria through various partnerships.
Leeuwen said the Netherlands government was committed to work on transitions that were crucial to the economy and business opportunities in both the Netherlands and Nigeria, with a specific interest in Lagos.
“We are looking forward to continuing our excellent economic cooperation with the governor and his cabinet. We will continue to bring high-level visits and trade missions to ‘The Center of Excellence,’” he said.
Leeuwen reiterated that since Nigeria’s independence, the Netherlands had been one of Nigeria’s most important trading partners and vice versa.
He, therefore, emphasized five key business sectors for collaboration, namely agriculture, IT, circular economy, healthcare, and renewable energy.
Similarly, the Netherlands Minister for Migration, Mr. Eric van der Burg, noted that the Netherlands was committed to its migration partnership with Nigeria, based on mutual priorities and to sustainable reintegration and opportunities for youth.
“Netherlands is committed to working closely with Lagos State, especially within the challenging field of migrant smuggling and human trafficking,” he assured.
“Nigeria’s population could double within the next 25 to 30 years. All young people will seek opportunities to create a bright future for themselves.
“We will work together to create opportunities and plan to create at least 15,000 jobs in the next four years, through various incubation and vocational programs,” he added.