Okonjo-Iweala Urges Nigeria to Embrace Maintenance Culture, Says Budgets Alone Won’t Drive Development…..
WTO chief calls for better infrastructure, fiscal discipline and execution of projects as Delta seeks to position itself as a new economic growth hub.
Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has urged Nigeria to prioritise the maintenance of public infrastructure, warning that increased budgetary allocations alone will not deliver sustainable 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 shift its attention from simply funding projects to ensuring they are properly maintained and effectively managed.
According to her, Nigeria’s development ambitions will remain difficult to achieve without a stronger maintenance culture, improved infrastructure and consistent policy execution.
She stressed that while natural and economic endowments are important, they can only translate into meaningful growth when supported by quality infrastructure and efficient implementation.
“Budgetary allocations alone do not lead to new roads or ensure proper maintenance,” she said, noting that the country needs to improve the upkeep of existing infrastructure while investing in modern ports, digital connectivity and measures that reduce the cost of trade.
Okonjo-Iweala added that the success of development initiatives ultimately depends on effective execution, clear priorities and sustained focus.
The WTO chief also expressed optimism about Nigeria’s economic direction, saying ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to stabilise the macroeconomic environment including exchange rate reforms and measures to curb inflation would improve investment prospects across the states.
She said the progress recorded so far suggests the country is moving in the right direction.
Okonjo-Iweala encouraged the Delta State Government to sustain fiscal discipline by ensuring that public funds are directed toward productive investments capable of generating long-term economic growth.
She noted that the state’s proposed N1.664 trillion 2026 budget, with its emphasis on higher capital expenditure, reflects an effort to place Delta on a stronger growth trajectory.
According to her, Nigeria would benefit if Delta developed into another major commercial and industrial hub alongside Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt, helping to ease economic pressure on the country’s traditional business centres.
Backs Delta’s special economic zone plan
The WTO Director-General also endorsed Delta State’s plans to establish Special Economic Zones (SEZs), describing them as one of the most effective tools available to governments seeking to accelerate industrialisation despite limited fiscal resources.
She explained that well-developed economic zones allow governments to concentrate infrastructure, regulatory support, skilled labour and investment in designated locations, creating an environment that encourages business expansion and industrial growth.
Okonjo-Iweala noted that Delta’s abundant natural gas resources provide a strong foundation for the development of successful industrial clusters, particularly with collaboration from the Federal Government.
She, however, stressed that the success of such projects would depend on the availability of critical infrastructure, including reliable electricity, efficient road and rail networks, adequate water supply, digital connectivity and supportive regulatory systems.
According to her, delivering these essential facilities will require close cooperation and backing from the Federal Government to ensure the long-term success of the state’s industrialisation plans.
