Shettima Urges Governors To Drive Business-Friendly Reforms, Lauds Oborevwori

By Bayo Amodu and Felix Igbekoyi, Asaba

Vice President Kashim Shettima has charged state governments across Nigeria to implement business-friendly reforms to attract investment, create jobs, and accelerate economic growth, saying the success of federal economic policies largely depends on actions taken at the sub-national level.

Speaking at the ongoing Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026 in Asaba, Delta State, Shettima said while the federal government has focused on restoring macroeconomic stability through fiscal and monetary reforms, state governments must create the enabling environment that allows businesses to thrive.

He noted that the increasing competition among states to attract investors is a healthy development that can drive economic expansion and shared prosperity.

“The type of competition among our states is now evident in the quality and ambition of the investment summits convened across the federation. Every state is defining its own trajectory, unique to its geography, people and comparative advantage. This is a race we must welcome, a race that proclaims growth rather than conflict, a race in which the prize is employment, prosperity and human dignity,” he said.

The Vice President said recent reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have strengthened Nigeria’s economic fundamentals, improved investor confidence and earned positive assessments from international credit rating agencies.

According to him, the improved macroeconomic environment provides a platform for states to attract greater private-sector investment and unlock their economic potential.

Shettima, however, stressed that economic potential alone is insufficient without deliberate efforts to organise, finance and deploy resources productively.

“Potential has no economic value unless it is organised, financed and put to work,” he stated.

He urged state governments to focus on policies that support investment, industrialisation and economic diversification, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, mining and the blue economy.

The Vice President also commended the Delta State governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for positioning the state as an emerging investment destination through initiatives to attract local and foreign capital.

He described Delta as one of Nigeria’s most promising investment destinations, citing its extensive coastline, oil and gas resources, agricultural potential, solid minerals and expanding industrial base.

According to him, the governor’s investment drive aligns with the federal government’s broader objective of creating a stable and investor-friendly economy.

Shettima said the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit reflects the state government’s commitment to translating economic opportunities into tangible investments that generate jobs and improve living standards.

He encouraged investors, development partners and business leaders to take advantage of opportunities in Delta State and assured them of the federal government’s support for credible investments across the country.

“We are fellow travellers on the road from promise to production, from ambition to transformation, and from potential to prosperity,” he said.

The summit brought together government officials, investors, development partners, policymakers, and business leaders to explore strategies to accelerate industrialisation, expand investment opportunities, and position Delta State as a leading economic hub in Nigeria.