Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has urged Danish investors and businesses to explore the vast opportunities in the country’s marine and blue economy, assuring them of attractive incentives, strong returns and a business environment increasingly open to private-sector participation.
Oyetola made the call in Copenhagen, Denmark, during a bilateral meeting with Denmark’s Minister for Business and Competitiveness, Martin Lidegaard, as Nigeria intensified efforts to attract Danish investment, technology and expertise into its maritime sector.
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The meeting formed part of the activities of the Nigerian Ministerial Delegation to Denmark on Maritime and the Blue Economy, led by Oyetola, with discussions focusing on investment, maritime infrastructure, technology, green transition, port efficiency, skills development and sustainable economic growth.
Oyetola said Nigeria had moved beyond establishing the institutional framework for the Marine and Blue Economy and was now focusing on project development, investment mobilisation, improved sector performance and capacity building.
“Nigeria is looking for partnerships that can improve sector performance, attract investment, deploy technology, strengthen skills and safety, advance sustainability and create quality jobs,” the minister said.
He identified ports and logistics, shipbuilding and repair, maritime services, digital technology, fisheries, green shipping, renewable energy, marine infrastructure, financing and multimodal connectivity as areas offering significant investment opportunities.
According to him, Nigeria’s extensive coastline, inland waterways, large consumer market and strategic location in West and Central Africa provide investors with opportunities across the maritime value chain and potential for long-term commercial returns.
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Oyetola noted that the presence of Danish-origin companies already operating in Nigeria’s maritime sector demonstrated the viability of the market and provided a foundation for stronger commercial relations between both countries.
“The presence of some Danish companies in Nigeria provides a strong foundation on which we can build. We want to deepen that relationship and create the conditions for more Danish businesses, investors and technology providers to participate in Nigeria’s maritime transformation,” he said.
He urged Danish businesses to look beyond existing investments and explore emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s maritime value chain, stressing the need for strategic partners with capital, technology, expertise and innovation.
The minister said the Nigeria-Denmark engagement was aimed at moving beyond diplomatic commitments to identifying bankable projects and practical partnerships capable of delivering measurable economic outcomes.
He added that Denmark’s expertise in shipping, maritime services, logistics, green technologies and sustainable ocean industries could complement Nigeria’s market size and commercial potential.
Responding, Lidegaard welcomed closer cooperation with Nigeria under its Marine and Blue Economy agenda, stressing the importance of practical partnerships involving businesses, government institutions, technology providers and knowledge institutions.
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He said such partnerships would be critical to developing solutions that could be implemented, scaled and sustained commercially in both countries.
Members of the Nigerian delegation 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, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; Director-General, Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency, Dr. Pius Akutah; and Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, among others.