Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has urged Nigeria to embrace a stronger maintenance culture, warning that increased budgetary allocations alone will not deliver lasting infrastructure 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 prioritise maintaining existing infrastructure while investing in better ports, digital connectivity and lower trade costs.
“Endowments alone do not add value. Budgetary allocations alone do not lead to new roads, to good maintenance,” she said.
“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.”
The WTO chief said ongoing efforts by the federal government to stabilise the macroeconomic environment, particularly exchange rate reforms and measures to curb inflation, would improve the chances of states achieving sustainable economic growth.
She added that the progress made so far suggests the country is moving in the right direction.
Okonjo-Iweala also said Nigeria would benefit if Delta State developed into another major economic hub alongside Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt, noting that stronger economic activity in the state would help ease pressure on existing commercial centres.
She urged the Delta State Government to maintain fiscal discipline by directing public funds towards productive investments rather than wasteful spending.
“The 2026 proposed budget of N1.664 trillion prioritises increased capital expenditures as part of the efforts to move Delta onto a higher growth path,” she said.
The economist endorsed the state’s plan to establish Special Economic Zones (SEZs), describing them as one of the most effective industrial policy tools for governments with limited fiscal resources and relatively small domestic markets.
According to her, SEZs enable governments to improve infrastructure and regulatory systems in designated locations, creating an environment where businesses, workers and innovation can thrive.
“With Delta State’s gas assets, and working with the federal government, you have an important ingredient for the essential infrastructure,” she said.
Okonjo-Iweala added that successful industrial parks require reliable electricity, roads, rail networks, water supply, digital connectivity and efficient regulatory support, stressing that these would require strong backing from the federal government.
