Now Is The Best Time To Invest In Nigeria– Shettima
Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged local and foreign investors to take advantage of Nigeria’s improving economic outlook, saying now is the best time to invest before opportunities become more expensive.
Speaking at the opening of the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026 in Asaba, Delta State, Shettima said the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration had restored investor confidence, strengthened macroeconomic stability and created an enabling environment for long-term investments.
He said every state in Nigeria possesses unique strengths capable of driving economic growth and should compete to attract investments that create jobs and improve livelihoods.
“Every state possesses immense promise with its unique history, geography, people and comparative advantage. This is the race we must welcome, a race in which states compete to create employment, prosperity and human dignity,” he said.
According to the Vice President, recent fiscal reforms have increased allocations to state governments, enabling them to undertake ambitious development projects.
He also cited recent upgrades by Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s as evidence of growing international confidence in Nigeria’s economy.
“These are proof that Nigeria is regaining credibility, and the best time to invest is now before the opportunity becomes expensive,” Shettima said.
He described Delta State as a “first-order investment destination”, noting that beyond its oil wealth, the state’s deliberate commitment to economic diversification makes it attractive to investors.
According to him, Delta’s strategic coastline, ports, natural gas reserves, refining assets, vast agricultural potential, blue economy opportunities and rich deposits of solid minerals position it to become one of Nigeria’s leading industrial and commercial hubs.
Shettima commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for convening the summit, assuring investors that the Federal Government would continue working with state governments to remove barriers to enterprise and support credible investments.
“We are co-travellers on the road from promise to production, from allocation to transformation, and from potential to prosperity,” he added.
Earlier, Governor Oborevwori announced that the state government had earmarked 100 million dollars as Viability Gap Funding to de-risk strategic private sector investments.
He said the initiative was designed to move beyond discussions and translate investment commitments into bankable projects capable of accelerating industrialisation, economic diversification and job creation.
The governor explained that the summit followed investment promotion missions undertaken by the state to China and Brazil in 2025 to attract strategic global partnerships.
According to him, Delta’s economy is estimated at about ₦17 trillion, making it one of Nigeria’s most attractive investment destinations due to its abundant natural resources, improving infrastructure, sound fiscal management and investor-friendly policies.
Oborevwori disclosed that the state had introduced tax incentives, including waivers on tenement rates, levies and other charges for up to five years, while establishing an Ease of Doing Business Council to simplify investment processes.
He said more than 12,000 hectares of land had been set aside for commercial agriculture, while the state’s 163-kilometre coastline presents significant opportunities in the blue economy.
The governor also highlighted investment prospects in gas-fired power plants, renewable energy, solar farms and mini-grid infrastructure, assuring investors that Delta remains financially stable, secure and debt-free.
He noted that the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources recognised Delta as Nigeria’s safest state for oil and gas investments in 2024.
In her keynote address, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, urged the state to leverage global supply chain realignments, the African Continental Free Trade Area and Nigeria’s economic reforms to position Delta as the country’s next industrial growth hub.
Describing herself as “a Delta State optimist”, she said the state’s natural gas reserves, seaports, rail connectivity, fertile agricultural land, skilled workforce and fiscal discipline placed it in a strong position to compete with established commercial centres.
She advised the state government to prioritise investments in the Delta Special Economic Zone, agro-processing, the blue economy, oil and gas value addition, marine logistics, digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence.
Also speaking, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, said Nigeria’s macroeconomic fundamentals had improved significantly, noting that the country had moved from capital flight in 2023 to a more stable and predictable exchange rate environment.
He called for stronger economic collaboration between Delta and Anambra states and urged governments to make investment promotion a continuous process.
Pan-Africanist, Prof. Patrick Lumumba, challenged African governments and investors to demonstrate greater confidence in the continent’s economic potential by increasing investments within Africa.
Minister of Finance, Dr Taiwo Oyedele, said the Federal Government’s reforms, including subsidy removal and foreign exchange liberalisation, had significantly increased revenues available to states and local governments for development.
He described Delta as a natural powerhouse of the blue economy and encouraged investors to see both the state and Nigeria as leading investment destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Chairman of Transcorp Power Holdings, Tony Elumelu, pledged the company’s readiness to partner with the Delta State Government to improve electricity supply for industries and households across the state.
Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of Mosra Energy, Ramos Olukayode, disclosed that Delta possesses more than 200 million tonnes of coal deposits in Obomkpa, Ukunzu and surrounding communities.
The Chief Executive Officer of UTM Gas Limited, Julius Rone, also revealed that Delta State’s ₦42 billion investment for an eight per cent equity stake in the company in 2022 is now valued at about ₦200 billion.
Rone added that UTM Gas would establish its corporate headquarters in Warri when operations commence fully in 2030, further strengthening Delta’s position as a major energy investment destination.
