Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. (Mrs.) Ngozi Nma Odu (Middle), with the Norway’s Ambassador to Nigeria, H. E. Svein Baera (4th Left), the Chief of Staff, Government House, Barr. Sunny Ewule (4th Right), the Head of Civil Service, Dr. Inyingi Brown (2nd Left) and others shortly after a Courtesy Visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt on the 24th Sept. 2026.
The Norwegian Government has intensified efforts to deepen its economic engagement with Rivers State, moving beyond its century-old stockfish trade with Nigeria to court Rivers businessmen for broader investments in oil and gas, healthcare, education and other strategic sectors.
This emerged on Thursday when the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Svein Bæra, led a delegation to Government House, Port Harcourt, where he held talks with Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on expanding commercial ties between Norway and the state.
Represented by his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, the governor said Rivers was ready to strengthen trade and investment relations with Norway, describing the nearly 100-year stockfish trade as a strong foundation for wider economic cooperation.
He said trade thrives on mutual benefit and noted that the longstanding commercial relationship between the two countries could serve as a gateway to partnerships in other sectors.
“That could be an entry point into us collaborating in other aspects of international trade,” he said.
The governor urged the Norwegian delegation to meet with the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce and other business associations to exchange ideas with Rivers entrepreneurs on available investment opportunities and future prospects.
Welcoming the delegation on behalf of the government and people of Rivers State, Fubara expressed optimism that the visit would mark the beginning of a stronger economic relationship between the state and Norway.
Speaking earlier, Ambassador Bæra said the Norwegian delegation was in Rivers State to engage directly with businessmen and investors, particularly stockfish importers, while exploring new opportunities in the oil and gas sector.
He said discussions with key stakeholders would help identify areas of shared economic interest and strengthen existing trade ties, signalling Norway’s intention to broaden its commercial footprint in Rivers beyond the traditional stockfish market.