Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has identified Nigeria’s poor maintenance culture as a major obstacle to the country’s development, warning that natural resources and annual budget allocations alone cannot guarantee sustainable economic growth.

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Speaking on Monday at the 2026 Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba, themed “Harnessing Our Strengths, Unlocking Our Potentials,” Okonjo-Iweala said effective execution and proper maintenance of infrastructure are critical to national development. She stressed that Nigeria must improve its ports, digital infrastructure and trade efficiency while prioritising projects that deliver measurable economic benefits.

“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. We need better ports and digital infrastructure, and lower trade costs. Execution is what matters, and successful execution requires focus and prioritisation,” she said.

The WTO chief urged the Delta State Government to position the state as a global destination for skilled labour, manufacturing and investment by creating an enabling environment for businesses and industries to thrive. She commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for establishing a $100 million Viability Gap Fund, describing it as a strategic initiative capable of attracting private investment and reducing project risks.

Okonjo-Iweala advised the state to focus on strategic sectors such as Special Economic Zones, agriculture, the blue economy, oil and gas, digital technology and artificial intelligence, while avoiding the temptation to spread resources across too many areas. She also called for stronger collaboration between the Delta State Government and the Federal Government to develop globally competitive industrial hubs, citing the Lekki Free Zone in Nigeria and the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone in Benin Republic as successful models.

She expressed confidence that with focused investments, effective implementation and sustained collaboration, Delta State could transform into a diversified, resilient and globally competitive industrial economy, serving as a model for Nigeria and the African continent.