Vice President Shettima, Okonjo-Iweala Urge States To Drive Investments, Jobs After Federal Reforms

Vice President Shettima, Okonjo-Iweala Urge States to Drive Investments, Jobs After Federal Reforms Vice President Kashim Shettima and World Trade Organization WTO Director-General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, have called on state governments across Nigeria to take a leading role in attracting investments, diversifying their economies, and creating jobs to ensure sustainable economic growth following the Federal Government’s reform agenda.

The appeal was made at the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026 held in Asaba, where government officials, investors and development partners gathered to discuss strategies for unlocking the state’s economic potential. Speaking at the summit, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, said the Federal Government had laid the foundation for macroeconomic stability through key reforms, including the unification of the foreign exchange market, removal of fuel subsidies, reforms to public finance, and efforts to broaden the tax base. According to Oyedele, while the Federal Government is responsible for maintaining economic stability, state governments now have the responsibility of translating those gains into tangible development by promoting investment, expanding local industries and creating employment opportunities. He noted that increased revenue allocations to states and local governments following the reforms have strengthened their capacity to invest in infrastructure, human capital development and other growth-oriented projects.

Vice President Shettima stressed that subnational governments must leverage their comparative advantages to attract both domestic and foreign investments. He emphasized that sustainable development would depend on states implementing policies that encourage enterprise, improve infrastructure and create an enabling environment for businesses. Also speaking, WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urged Nigerian states and African economies to position themselves to benefit from changing global trade patterns by strengthening competitiveness and integrating into diversified global supply chains. She observed that despite geopolitical tensions, trade disputes and climate-related challenges affecting the global economy, opportunities remain for countries that pursue disciplined economic management and strategic industrial policies. Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the resilience of global trade, noting that world merchandise trade expanded in 2025 while African exports also recorded significant growth, driven largely by minerals, metals, fuels and agricultural commodities. She urged governments to build on these gains by promoting value addition, industrialisation and export-oriented investments.The summit concluded with renewed calls for stronger collaboration between the Federal Government, state governments and the private sector to accelerate economic transformation. Participants agreed that while national reforms have created a more stable macroeconomic environment, long-term prosperity will depend on how effectively states convert those reforms into investments, jobs and improved living standards for their citizens.