Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said Nigeria’s weak maintenance culture is eroding the value of public infrastructure and hindering the country’s economic growth.
She made the remark on Monday while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba.
Speaking on the theme, Harnessing Our Strengths, Unlocking Our Potentials, the former Minister of Finance said infrastructure development requires more than budgetary allocations, stressing that effective execution and sustained maintenance are essential for long-term economic progress.
“Endowments alone do not create value. Budgetary allocations alone do not result in new roads or well-maintained infrastructure. We lack a maintenance culture in this country. I say this as a Nigerian because it is something we must address,” she said.
Okonjo-Iweala urged governments at all levels to prioritise the upkeep of existing infrastructure alongside the construction of new projects, noting that proper maintenance would maximise economic returns and improve public service delivery.
She also called for greater investment in critical infrastructure, particularly ports and digital systems, to reduce the cost of doing business and enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
“We need better ports, stronger digital infrastructure and lower trade costs. What matters is execution, and successful execution requires focus and prioritisation,” she added.
The three-day summit, organised by the Delta State Government, aims to attract investment and accelerate economic development in the state. It brought together policymakers, investors and business leaders from Nigeria and abroad, including delegations from China and Brazil.
Vice President Kashim Shettima officially declared the summit open on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
