Tinubu, 9 Governors, Others For Niger Delta Summit

President Bola Tinubu is expected to open the 2026 Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit today in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Also expected at the event, with the theme, “Driving Investment, Innovation and Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta” are the governors of nine states in the Niger Delta region.

Addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt ahead of the summit, the chairman of the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA), Idaere Gogo-Ogan, said the summit was conceived as a strategic private sector-led platform for mobilising investment, accelerating industrial development and unlocking the enormous economic potential of the region.

Ogan further stated that although the region has played a critical role in Nigeria’s economic development, it offers opportunities far beyond crude oil.

“The summit is conceived as a strategic private sector-led platform for mobilising investment, accelerating industrial development and unlocking the enormous economic potential of the Niger Delta.

“Our vision is to bring together the nine Niger Delta states, the federal government, the Niger Delta Development Commission, the organised private sector, domestic and international investors, development finance institutions, multilateral organisations, finance institutions, project developers and other strategic partners around a common objective:

“To transform the Niger Delta from a predominantly resource-dependent economy into a diversified, productive, industrialised and globally competitive regional economy.

“For decades, the Niger Delta has played a critical role in Nigeria’s economic development. I dare say that the region possesses opportunities far beyond crude oil.

“From gas and petrochemicals to agriculture and agro-processing; maritime and blue economy; manufacturing; aviation and transportation; renewable energy; tourism; digital economy; logistics; infrastructure and financial services, the Niger Delta possesses the resources and market opportunities required to become one of Africa’s leading investment destinations.

We recognise the important role of the Niger Delta Development Commission and the governments of the nine Niger Delta states in achieving this vision. Therefore, we seek strong collaboration with these institutions, alongside the federal government, private sector and development partners, in building a sustainable region investment ecosystem,” the NDCCITMA chairman said.

Gogo-Ogan stated that the organisation is committed to establishing the Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit as an annual flagship economic platform for the region.