L-R: Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, CON; Ambassador of Denmark to Nigeria, Mr Jens Ole Bach Hansen, and Head of Commercial, Royal Danish Consulate, Sara Ibru, when the Danish Ambassador visited Minister Oyetola in his office in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has welcomed the Ambassador of Denmark to Nigeria, Mr. Jens Hansen, and expressed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen bilateral cooperation in the marine and blue economy sector.
The Minister courted Danish investors to take advantage of the opportunities in Nigeria’s fast-growing marine and blue economy sector, assuring them of a favourable investment climate, strong institutional support, and promising returns.
Oyetola highlighted the Ministry’s ongoing reforms and initiatives aimed at harnessing Nigeria’s marine and blue economy potential, including the development of a National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, strengthened maritime security, port modernisation programmes, revitalisation of inland waterways, fisheries and aquaculture development, and conservation of marine biodiversity. These initiatives are designed to drive sustainable economic growth, create employment, boost trade facilitation, and position Nigeria as a leading maritime hub in Africa.
L-R: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Mahmood; Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON and the Ambassador of Denmark to Nigeria, Mr Jens Ole Bach Hansen, during the visit.
The Minister thanked the Government of Denmark for its support towards Nigeria’s election into Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council, noting that the achievement has further strengthened Nigeria’s standing in global maritime affairs. He commended Danish investment in Nigeria’s port sector through APM Terminals, which operates in the Apapa and Onne Ports.
Hansen congratulated Nigeria on its election into Category C of the IMO Council, describing it as a recognition of Nigeria’s growing leadership in maritime affairs. He expressed confidence that Nigeria would bring its experience and regional influence to bear in advancing international maritime cooperation and highlighted Denmark’s global expertise in wind energy and green maritime technologies.
Both parties agreed to sustain engagement and work together to identify further areas of partnership, investment, and technical cooperation in advancing Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy agenda.