By Seun Ibiyemi
The Government of Denmark has pledged continued support for the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector while expressing readiness to explore new areas of economic collaboration.
This commitment was made by the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jens Ole Bach Jansen, during his courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in Lagos.
Ambassador Jansen highlighted the strong and historic ties between Denmark and Nigeria, noting that Danish private companies have made significant investments in the Nigerian maritime industry over the years.
He said Denmark was eager to deepen cooperation, particularly in seafarer training, maritime security, and other capacity-building initiatives.
“Our partnership with Nigeria has endured for decades, and we believe there are many new areas where we can collaborate especially in training, security, and technology-driven solutions that will strengthen Nigeria’s maritime capabilities,” Jansen stated.
In his remarks, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General of NIMASA, expressed appreciation for Denmark’s consistent engagement and investment in Nigeria’s maritime development.
“On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Nigerian Government, I thank the Danish Government for its longstanding support.
Danish companies have contributed immensely to the growth of our maritime industry, and we believe this relationship will continue to expand,” Mobereola said.
Key areas of collaboration between both nations include training and professional development for maritime security personnel, as well as digital infrastructure enhancement within Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Danish firms such as APM Terminals have made major investments in Nigeria’s port operations in Lagos, Onne, and Kano, boosting efficiency and trade competitiveness.
Denmark is also backing human capital development initiatives like the Ship-in-a-Box (SIAB) simulator project, implemented in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to strengthen the skills of Nigerian maritime law enforcement officers in Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations.
The renewed commitment underscores Denmark’s growing role as a strategic partner in Nigeria’s efforts to build a resilient and globally competitive maritime industry.
Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola (left) and the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Mr. Jens Ole Bach Jansen during a courtesy visit by the Danish Ambassador to the NIMASA headquarters in Lagos.