Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has urged Nigeria to prioritise investment in ports, digital infrastructure and other critical public facilities to reduce the cost of doing business and improve the country's global competitiveness.
She said efficient infrastructure is indispensable to economic growth, stressing that Nigeria must focus on effective project execution and maintenance if it hopes to unlock its full economic potential.
Okonjo-Iweala made the call on Monday while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba, where she spoke on the theme, "Harnessing Our Strengths, Unlocking Our Potentials."
According to the former Minister of Finance, improving the country's ports and digital infrastructure would facilitate trade, attract investment and create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
"We need better ports and digital infrastructure, and lower trade costs. Execution is what matters, and successful execution requires focus. It requires prioritisation," she said.
The WTO chief also expressed concern over what she described as Nigeria's poor maintenance culture, arguing that the country's infrastructure continues to deteriorate because insufficient attention is paid to preserving existing assets.
She noted that while governments often make substantial budgetary provisions for development projects, the expected benefits are rarely achieved without proper implementation and maintenance.
"The fact is that endowments alone do not add value. Budgetary allocations alone do not lead to new roads or good maintenance.
"We lack a maintenance culture in the country. I have to say that. I am Nigerian, but we need that," she said.
Okonjo-Iweala urged governments to adopt a more strategic approach to infrastructure development by ensuring that completed projects are adequately maintained to deliver long-term economic value.
She added that sustainable development depends not only on initiating projects but also on the discipline to execute them efficiently and preserve them for future generations.
The three-day Delta State Economic and Investment Summit was organised by the Delta State Government to showcase investment opportunities and strengthen the state's economic development agenda.
The summit attracted policymakers, investors and business executives from Nigeria and abroad, including delegations from China and Brazil.
Vice President Kashim Shettima formally declared the event open on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
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