By Rabiu Sanusi
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has endorsed a healthy cycle of competition among the 36 states of the federation, describing it as necessary to achieving Nigeria’s quest for prosperity, economic growth, human dignity, and job opportunities.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Vice President’s media aide, Mr. Kingsley, and made available to journalists.
According to the Vice President, the trend is evident in the quality and ambition of investment summits organised by states across the country.
He emphasised that Nigeria’s strength lies in the proactive economic awakening of its subnational governments, not only in the efforts of the Federal Government.
Senator Shettima stated this on Monday in Asaba, the Delta State capital, during the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026.
He reiterated the need for states to move beyond basic asset documentation to practical execution and job creation.
“The cycle of competition among our states is now evident in the quality and ambition of the investment summits convened across the federation.
“Every state possesses immense promise, but each must define a trajectory unique to its history, geography, people, and comparative advantage.
“This is the race we must welcome: a race that promotes growth rather than conflict; a race in which the prize is employment, prosperity, and human dignity; a race for the future,” he said.
The Vice President said the competition among states and the growing number of economic and investment summits were made possible by the stronger economic foundation laid by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which has increased federal allocations available to states for development.
His words: “This season of summits owes itself to two developments. The first is the stronger foundation laid by the economic reset of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which has placed larger allocations in the hands of state governments to pursue their internal development agendas.
“The second is that no state wishes to be trapped in the dilemma of having money but not knowing how to spend it. For rescuing us from that dilemma, I believe Mr President deserves a round of applause.”
Senator Shettima recalled the promise made by the Tinubu administration to place the nation on the path of growth, noting that every investment summit had become another platform for turning that promise into enterprise.
He noted that each state contributes to Nigeria’s commercial ambition, saying: “One highlights agriculture, another minerals, technology, ports, energy, or tourism. In that healthy rivalry, Nigeria discovers the full measure of her wealth.”
The Vice President said Nigeria is currently on the right path in its growth and development journey, citing reports from international rating agencies such as Fitch, S&P, and Moody’s as confirmation of the country’s direction.
He commended Delta State Governor Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori for his “bold leap towards a greater Delta” and for creating a platform that matches the ambition of the people.
According to him, Delta State’s advantage goes beyond its oil wealth, as the state’s future depends on diversification and sustainable economic planning.
“Diversification is an instinct of economic self-preservation and a measure of the quality of leadership.
“A government that prepares for life beyond oil understands that resources may finance progress, but only ideas, institutions, and enterprise can sustain it,” he added.
The Vice President assured investors, entrepreneurs, financiers, captains of industry, innovators, and development partners that the Federal Government was ready to support credible investments, strengthen institutions, and work with states to remove barriers to enterprise.
Earlier, Governor Oborevwori said the summit was a result of the bold step he took last year when he led members of his cabinet to China and Brazil to explore investment opportunities for Delta State.
He explained that the summit was designed to connect ideas with capital and maximise the state’s comparative advantages.
He thanked the Vice President for honouring the invitation and praised his leadership role in advancing Nigeria’s collective development.
Also speaking, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, expressed solidarity with Governor Oborevwori, saying Nigeria’s economy had stabilised and was now on the path of recovery.
However, he noted that Nigeria would require foreign capital to achieve sustainable growth, while urging stakeholders to embrace networking and collaboration, stressing that “deals are the real thing” at economic summits.
The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, congratulated the Delta State Government on its developmental efforts, noting that despite global challenges, there were significant opportunities for Delta State, Nigeria, and Africa to harness.
She called for fiscal prudence, reduced trade costs, improved execution, and a stronger maintenance culture.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said states and local governments were receiving unprecedented revenues due to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said had helped strengthen macroeconomic stability.
He urged states and entrepreneurs to play their roles in driving shared prosperity.
The Founder and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Chief Tony Elumelu, congratulated Governor Oborevwori on his efforts to develop Delta State, describing the state as safe and attractive for investment.
He pledged to partner with the state government to make electricity distribution more accessible and affordable for residents.
The Guest Speaker, Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba, urged stakeholders to recognise the need to fully utilise Africa’s resources, including oil and other natural assets.
He called for a “symbiotic relationship” between Africa and foreign partners rather than a “parasitic relationship,” stressing that Africans should be viewed as investors while countries such as Brazil, China, Europe, and the United States should be regarded as development partners.
