Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Government of Denmark has reaffirmed its commitment to the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector while expressing interest in expanding bilateral cooperation into new areas of economic and technical collaboration.
Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jens Ole Bach Jansen, made this known during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in Lagos.
Ambassador Jansen highlighted the longstanding maritime and economic ties between Denmark and Nigeria, noting that Danish private investments have played key roles in strengthening Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure over the years.
“Denmark and Nigeria share a relationship that goes back decades, with significant Danish investments in the maritime sector. We are now looking forward to exploring new areas of collaboration, particularly in seafarer training and maritime security support,” he stated.
Receiving the delegation, NIMASA Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, expressed appreciation for Denmark’s continued engagement and partnership with Nigeria’s maritime industry.
“On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Nigerian Government, I wish to thank the Danish Government for its longstanding support. Danish companies have contributed immensely to our sector, and we are confident that this relationship will continue to grow,” Dr. Mobereola said.
Over the years, cooperation between both nations has centered on capacity building, maritime security, and digital infrastructure enhancement. Danish companies such as APM Terminals have made substantial investments in Nigeria’s port infrastructure, including facilities in Lagos, Onne, and Kano.
In addition, Denmark has supported maritime training initiatives, notably the Ship-in-a-Box (SIAB) simulator project in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The initiative aims to boost the operational capabilities of Nigerian maritime law enforcement officers in Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations.