By Mercy Aikoye
Nigeria has stepped up efforts to attract Danish capital, technology and expertise into its marine and blue economy sector as the Federal Government seeks to turn the industry into a major driver of investment, job creation and economic growth.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, made the pitch on Thursday, September 10, 2026, during a bilateral meeting with Denmark’s Minister for Business and Competitiveness, Martin Lidegaard, in Copenhagen.
The engagement, which formed part of the Nigerian ministerial delegation’s official visit to Denmark, focused on expanding commercial partnerships in maritime infrastructure, port development, green shipping, technology, logistics, skills development and other areas of the blue economy.
Oyetola said the Federal Government had moved beyond putting the institutional framework for the Marine and Blue Economy in place and was now concentrating on project development, investment mobilisation and improving the performance of the sector.
He said Nigeria was seeking strategic partnerships capable of bringing capital, technology and expertise into the maritime industry while improving safety, sustainability and employment opportunities.
According to him, investment opportunities abound across ports and logistics, shipbuilding and repairs, maritime services, digital technology, fisheries, renewable energy, green shipping, marine infrastructure, financing and multimodal connectivity.
Oyetola said Nigeria’s coastline, inland waterways, large consumer market and strategic position in West and Central Africa offered Danish investors significant opportunities to participate in the country’s maritime value chain.
He also pointed to the presence of Danish-origin companies already operating in Nigeria’s maritime sector as evidence of the potential for deeper economic cooperation between both countries.
The minister urged Danish businesses to expand beyond existing investments, stressing that Nigeria was interested in partnerships that would translate into bankable projects and measurable economic outcomes.
He said the collaboration with Denmark was intended to move beyond diplomatic engagements and create practical partnerships involving investors, government agencies, technology providers and knowledge institutions.
Oyetola further said Denmark’s expertise in shipping, logistics, maritime services, green technology and sustainable ocean industries could complement Nigeria’s market size and maritime potential.
Responding, Lidegaard welcomed Nigeria’s efforts to develop its Marine and Blue Economy and expressed support for closer cooperation between businesses, government agencies, technology firms and knowledge institutions in both countries.
He stressed the need for partnerships that could produce practical solutions capable of being implemented, scaled and sustained commercially.
The Nigerian delegation to Denmark included the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs Fatima Mahmood; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Marine and Blue Economy, Professor Busayo Fakinlede; Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho; Director-General of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Dr Pius Akutah; and Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, among others.
