The Consul General and Trade Counsellor, Ms Jette Bjerrum, has said Nigeria’s youthful population and growing technology sector remain major opportunities for global investment.

Bjerrum said this on Tuesday during an interview with The Guardian Nigeria, where she spoke on Nigeria’s talent base, artificial intelligence, technology partnerships and the need to change the global perception of the country.

According to her, Nigeria stands out because of its energy, large youth population and growing use of technology to solve local problems.

She said, “I think there are three things: one, enthusiasm; two, excitement; and three, insane energy. Also, the youth population is an untapped pool of talent.”

Bjerrum noted that Nigerian entrepreneurs were already using technology to address issues in healthcare, financial services and the informal economy.

Speaking on artificial intelligence, Bjerrum said Nigeria must position itself to benefit from the growing AI economy, especially because of its large youth population.

She said, “So tapping into the AI economy is the key opportunity, not least for a large youth population here. We’re going to be needing a lot of AI talent. Nigeria can produce really good talent.”

On Denmark and Nigeria’s partnership, Bjerrum said both countries could benefit from talent exchange, technology sharing and stronger investment links.

“I think that talent exchange, I think giving into the incredible talent here is one. I think we have technology that work really well in Denmark. You have to scale. And so that’s also the other way around,” she said.

She added that investors in Denmark needed to see Nigeria beyond its challenges and pay attention to the business opportunities in the country.

Bjerrum said, “I think when we help venture capital and investors in Denmark realise that opportunities in this country have a great potential there as well. Also for making big businesses together.”

The envoy also said Nigeria’s global image should not be limited to insecurity, politics and negative reports.

She said, “We often hear about Nigeria in the news, but not for the tech talent.”

Bjerrum said Nigeria could help change that perception by projecting a more balanced picture of its people, technology and opportunities.

Her remarks came after Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, received Bjerrum and Denmark’s Tech Ambassador, Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard, at Lagos House, Ikeja, on a courtesy visit.

Sanwo-Olu said the meeting focused on ways Lagos and Denmark could strengthen collaboration, particularly in the technology space.

“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.