Delta Sets Aside N133.8bn To De-risk Investments

By Bayo Amodu and Felix Igbekoyi, Asaba

The Delta State Government has earmarked N133.8 billion (100 million dollars) as viability gap funding to de-risk new investments and accelerate project execution in the state.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori disclosed this at the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026 in Asaba, describing the fund as a practical demonstration of the government’s commitment to attracting and supporting investors.

Oborevwori said the state would not borrow to finance the intervention, stressing that the funds had already been set aside to ensure that investment agreements reached at the summit are implemented without delay.

He said, “The government has set aside 100 million dollars (N133.8 billion) as viability gap funding to de-risk new investments in the state. We are not borrowing this money. The money is there. This is a practical demonstration of our total commitment to ensuring that the agreements reached at this summit are executed without delay.”

The governor also announced that the state had earmarked more than 12,000 hectares of farmland for agricultural development, positioning agriculture as a major investment destination.

According to him, the state’s agro-industrialisation agenda offers opportunities across the agricultural value chain, including cassava, oil palm, rice, potato and other cash crops.

“In preparation for this summit, over 12,000 hectares of farmland have been marked for agricultural development for prospective investors,” he said.

Oborevwori added that Delta’s coastline, stretching between one and three kilometres in some areas, provides opportunities to develop a thriving marine economy.

The governor assured investors of the safety of their investments, noting that security had improved significantly across the state due to sustained government investment in the sector.

He said the state’s investment in security had strengthened collaboration between security agencies and communities, improved public confidence and created a safer environment for economic activities.

Oborevwori noted that Delta was named Nigeria’s safest state for oil and gas investment in 2024 by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, describing the recognition as evidence of growing investor confidence in the state.