Denmark is doubling down on its long-running engagement with Nigeria’s maritime sector, signalling both steady support and an appetite for fresh areas of collaboration.
The Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Jens Ole Bach Jansen, gave the assurance during a visit to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency headquarters in Lagos, where he highlighted the decades of cooperation that have tied the two nations together.
Danish public and private institutions have been active players in Nigeria’s maritime landscape for years, from port operations to capacity building, and Jansen made it clear that Copenhagen is keen to widen that footprint.
He pointed in particular to opportunities around seafarer training and maritime security, two fields where Denmark has already built a strong record through global shipping expertise and NATO-aligned security engagements in the Gulf of Guinea.
NIMASA’s Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, welcomed the delegation with warm praise for Denmark’s consistent backing, noting that the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy views the partnership as a cornerstone for Nigeria’s long-term maritime development.
Danish companies, including major operators such as APM Terminals, have for years invested in ports across Lagos, Onne and Kano, helping to modernise cargo handling and logistics at a time when Nigeria is working to boost competitiveness and reduce bottlenecks.
Collaborative efforts have also stretched into digital transformation, with joint projects aimed at improving data systems, operational transparency and maritime domain awareness.
Beyond infrastructure, Denmark has been supporting hands-on skills development, particularly through training initiatives that strengthen Nigeria’s law enforcement capability at sea.
A notable example is the Ship-in-a-Box simulator programme, developed alongside the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, which prepares officers for complex tasks such as Visit, Board, Search and Seizure operations.
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