Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said Nigeria’s economic transformation will depend less on natural resource endowments or larger budgetary allocations and more on effective policy execution, infrastructure maintenance and strategic investment.

Speaking as keynote speaker at the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026, themed “Harnessing Our Strengths, Unlocking Our Potentials,” Okonjo-Iweala said Nigeria must shift its focus from allocating resources to ensuring projects are properly implemented and maintained.

“The fact is that endowments alone do not add value. Budgetary allocations alone do not lead to new roads, to good maintenance. We lack a maintenance culture in the country,” she said.

The former Minister of Finance noted that although Nigeria is richly endowed with natural and human resources, the country’s development goals would remain elusive without disciplined execution of policies and projects.

“I have to say that I’m Nigerian,” she said, adding that she appreciated the emphasis placed on infrastructure maintenance during the summit.

“I was telling Engineer Austin Avuru, thanking him for mentioning maintenance. We need that.”

Okonjo-Iweala identified modern ports, robust digital infrastructure and lower trade costs as critical areas requiring urgent attention to improve Nigeria’s competitiveness and attract more domestic and foreign investment.

“We need better ports and digital infrastructure and lower trade costs,” she said.

She stressed that successful development depends on disciplined implementation and clear priorities.

“Execution is what matters. And successful execution requires focus. It requires prioritisation,” she added.

Her comments come as federal and state governments intensify efforts to attract investment through infrastructure development, industrialisation and reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s business environment.

The Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026 brought together policymakers, investors, business leaders and development experts to explore strategies for accelerating economic growth, strengthening infrastructure and unlocking investment opportunities in Delta State and across Nigeria.