Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has called on Nigeria to prioritise effective project execution and infrastructure maintenance over budgetary allocations, warning that public spending alone cannot deliver sustainable development.
Speaking on Monday at the 2026 Delta State Economic and Investment Summit, themed “Harnessing Our Strengths, Unlocking Our Potentials,” Okonjo-Iweala said the country must strengthen its maintenance culture while making strategic investments in infrastructure to unlock long-term economic growth.
She argued that the availability of natural and financial resources means little without efficient implementation and proper management of public assets.
“Endowments alone do not add value. Budgetary allocations alone do not lead to new roads or good maintenance,” she said.
The former finance minister decried Nigeria’s poor maintenance culture, stressing that preserving existing infrastructure is just as critical as building new projects. She identified improved ports, stronger digital infrastructure and lower trade costs as essential to enhancing the country’s competitiveness.
“We lack a maintenance culture in the country. We need maintenance. We need better ports and digital infrastructure, and lower trade costs. Execution is what matters, and successful execution requires focus. It requires prioritisation,” she added.
Okonjo-Iweala also acknowledged improvements in Nigeria’s macroeconomic environment, citing the Federal Government’s efforts to stabilise the exchange rate and curb inflation. She noted that sustained reforms would improve the economic outlook for states across the country.
She further advocated the development of new economic growth hubs beyond Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt, saying Delta State has the potential to emerge as a major commercial centre capable of easing pressure on the country’s established business hubs.
The WTO chief urged the Delta State Government to maintain fiscal discipline and channel public funds into productive investments that promote long-term economic expansion rather than recurrent or wasteful expenditure.
Commenting on the state’s proposed N1.664 trillion 2026 budget, she praised its emphasis on capital expenditure, saying increased investment in infrastructure could accelerate Delta’s economic growth.
Okonjo-Iweala also endorsed Delta State’s plan to establish Special Economic Zones (SEZs), describing them as one of the most effective industrial policy tools for governments operating with limited fiscal resources and relatively small domestic markets.
She explained that well-planned SEZs enable governments to concentrate infrastructure, regulatory reforms, skilled labour and business support services within designated locations, creating an environment that attracts private investment and manufacturing.
According to her, Delta State’s abundant gas reserves provide a strong foundation for the successful development of industrial parks, particularly with support from the Federal Government.
However, she stressed that the success of such zones depends on reliable electricity, quality roads, rail connectivity, water supply, digital infrastructure and efficient regulatory institutions, all of which require sustained collaboration between the state and federal governments.
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