Shettima Urges Investors to Seize Nigeria’s Opportunities Before They Become Costly

Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged local and international investors to take advantage of Nigeria’s improving investment climate, saying the country’s ongoing economic reforms have created opportunities that will become more valuable over time.

Shettima made the appeal on Monday while declaring open the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026 in Asaba, according to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Delta State Governor, Festus Ahon.

The Vice President said President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms had restored investor confidence, strengthened macroeconomic stability and created a more favourable environment for long-term investments across the country.

He noted that every state possesses unique economic strengths capable of driving development and should actively compete to attract investments that generate employment, boost productivity and improve living standards.

According to Shettima, recent fiscal reforms have increased revenue allocations to state governments, giving them greater capacity to finance development projects and attract private sector participation.

He also pointed to positive assessments from international rating agencies, including Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s, as evidence that confidence in Nigeria’s economy is improving.

“The best time to invest is now before the opportunity becomes expensive,” the Vice President said.

Shettima described Delta State as a prime investment destination, highlighting its coastline, natural gas reserves, ports, refining assets, agricultural resources, solid minerals and blue economy potential.

He commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for organising the summit and assured investors that the Federal Government would continue collaborating with state governments to eliminate barriers to investment and promote enterprise.

Earlier, Oborevwori announced that Delta State had committed 100 million dollars as Viability Gap Funding to support strategic private sector investments and make major projects commercially viable.

The governor said the initiative would accelerate industrialisation, economic diversification and job creation while strengthening investor confidence.

He disclosed that Delta had introduced tax incentives, established an Ease of Doing Business Council and earmarked more than 12,000 hectares for commercial agriculture.

The summit also featured contributions from World Trade Organisation Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Prof Patrick Lumumba, Finance Minister Dr Taiwo Oyedele, businessman Tony Elumelu and other industry leaders, who identified Delta as a major hub for energy, agriculture, logistics, digital infrastructure and industrial development.