Poor maintenance culture undermining Nigeria’s development, says Okonjo-Iweala
August 3, 2026 3:56 pm
WTO DG, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said Nigeria’s poor maintenance culture is diminishing the value of the country’s infrastructure and slowing its economic development.
Okonjo-Iweala stated this on Monday while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Harnessing Our Strengths, Unlocking Our Potentials,’ the former Minister of Finance said budgetary allocations alone would not translate into development without effective execution and proper maintenance of infrastructure.
“The fact is that endowments alone do not add value. Budgetary allocations alone do not lead to new roads or good maintenance.
“We lack a maintenance culture in the country. I have to say that. I am Nigerian, but we need that,” she said.
She stressed that governments should focus not only on initiating new projects but also on preserving existing infrastructure to maximise economic returns.
Okonjo-Iweala also called for improvements in critical infrastructure, including ports and digital facilities, to reduce the cost of doing business and boost Nigeria’s competitiveness.
“We need better ports and digital infrastructure, and lower trade costs. Execution is what matters, and successful execution requires focus. It requires prioritisation,” she added.
The three-day summit, organised by the Delta State Government, is aimed at attracting investments and promoting economic growth in the state.
The event drew policymakers, investors and business leaders from within and outside Nigeria, including delegations from China and Brazil.
Vice President Kashim Shettima declared the summit open on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
Watch the video:
𝐏𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐒𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐎𝐤𝐨𝐧𝐣𝐨-𝐈𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐚
Credit: X | Channelstv
—
Follow us for more breaking news and videos pic.twitter.com/GT9FXXhvxF— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) August 3, 2026
Hannah Johnson is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over three years of professional experience in reporting, storytelling, and digital content creation. She blends traditional reporting skills with a modern, digital-first approach to journalism, producing content tailored for both web and social platforms. Hannah is skilled at turning complex topics into clear, engaging, and relatable stories that resonate with a wide audience. Her work reflects hands-on newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a strong commitment to accurate, audience-focused journalism.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]