HRH The Crown Princess' speech at a reception at the Swedish residence in Abuja

It is a great pleasure to be here in Abuja to celebrate the close ties between Nigeria and Sweden. Thank you for joining us this evening at the Swedish residence. What a beautiful setting for this special occasion!

Next year marks 65 years of diplomatic relations between our countries. Over the decades, our bond has grown stronger, particularly in trade and economic cooperation.

Today, our collaboration spans many sectors, from renewable energy and sustainable transport to digital solutions. A testament to this deepening partnership is Sweden’s new trade office in Lagos, which I have the privilege of inaugurating tomorrow.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am delighted to be joined by our Nordic friends tonight. Nordic cooperation is thriving in Nigeria, demonstrated by initiatives such as the joint business event Nordic-Nigeria Connect and the visit by the five Nordic Foreign Ministers to Nigeria last August.

I am also pleased to see members of the Sweden-Nigeria alumni network with us. Your experiences of living, studying, and working in Sweden contribute to the close partnership between our nations. Building cross-border relationships is more important than ever, and your connections are powerful examples of how personal experiences can strengthen ties.

Another sign of our deepening relationship is that high-level visits between our countries have grown more frequent in recent years. Just six months ago, I had the pleasure of welcoming your Vice President, Kashim Shettima and your Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusef M. Tuggar, to the Royal Palace in Stockholm.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our strong bond is also evident in the rich cultural exchange between Nigeria and Sweden. This is reflected in art, music, fashion, film, and literature.

Many Swedes have gained a deeper understanding of Nigerian culture through the works of Nobel laureate in literature Wole Soyinka.

I am also pleased that the Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare’s Wind Sculpture in bronze was acquired and donated in 2022 to Princess Estelle Sculpture Park in Stockholm. In the winter, its purple batik prints from Nigeria create a beautiful contrast with the white snow in Sweden. The sculpture also captures the lightness of the air, despite being crafted from solid, heavy bronze, which is quite amazing. Seeing this artwork in the heart of Stockholm makes me both happy and proud!

Ladies and gentlemen,

In the coming days, I look forward to learning more about the fantastic country of Nigeria, and about ongoing initiatives between our countries.

I am confident that our partnership will continue to deepen and to prosper. The physical distance may be vast between our nations, but the gap between our peoples grows smaller, as our relations continue to flourish.

I am excited about the journey ahead and grateful for the warm welcome we all have received.

Once again, thank you.