POLITICAL POLITICS

Shettima Backs Healthy Competition Among States

by admin on | 2026-08-04 10:55:42

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Shettima Backs Healthy Competition Among States

By Ahmad Sirajo Makama, Abuja

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has endorsed a healthy cycle of competition among the 36 states of the federation, saying it is necessary to actualise Nigeria’s quest for prosperity, economic growth, human dignity and job opportunities.

He said this is evident in the quality and ambition of investment summits organised by states across the country.

The Vice President stated this on Monday in Asaba, the Delta State capital, during the state’s Economic and Investment Summit 2026.

He emphasised that the nation’s strength lies in the proactive economic awakening of its sub-national governments rather than just the government at the centre.

“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 proclaims 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 growing number of economic and investment summits stems from the strong economic foundation laid by President Bola Tinubu, which has increased federal allocations for local development.

“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 far 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,” he added.

Shettima recalled the promise made by the Tinubu administration to place the nation on the path of growth, noting that each meeting has become “another platform for turning that promise into enterprise.”

While noting that every host state contributes to the nation’s commercial ambition, he said, “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 on the right path in its growth and development trajectory, citing reports of international ratings agencies like Fitch, S&P and Moody’s as confirmation of what he described as the nation’s “direction of travel.”

He applauded Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s “bold leap towards a greater Delta and for creating a platform that matches the ambition of his people,” stressing that the state has an advantage beyond its oil wealth.

According to him, the state’s advantage lies in its conviction behind the economic and investment summit “that the future of a people cannot be deposited in a single commodity.

“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, expressing confidence in Governor Oborevwori’s ability to lead “Delta into a new era of productive expansion.”

Assurance

Shettima assured investors, entrepreneurs, financiers, captains of industry, innovators and development partners at the summit that the federal government “stands ready to support credible investments, strengthen enabling institutions and work with the state to remove obstacles to enterprise.”

In his welcome address, Governor Oborevwori said the summit followed a strategic move last year when he led his cabinet members to China and Brazil to harness investment opportunities for Delta State.

He noted that the summit is designed to connect ideas with capital and maximise the comparative advantages inherent in the state’s socio-economic potential.

The governor thanked the Vice President for attending the summit, lauding his leadership and role in advancing national development.

Also speaking, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, expressed solidarity with his Delta counterpart, agreeing that from a macroeconomic standpoint, Nigeria has stabilised and is now on the rise.

He, however, said Nigeria would require foreign capital to thrive and called for networking among stakeholders, noting that “deals are the real thing” at any economic summit.

Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, congratulated the governor on the strides of his administration, noting that despite global disruptions, there are significant opportunities for Delta State, Nigeria and Africa to maximise.

The former Finance Minister called for fiscal prudence, lower trade costs, improved execution and a stronger maintenance culture.

Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, said states and local governments are now receiving unprecedented revenues due to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which has helped to establish macroeconomic stability.

He urged states and entrepreneurs to play their roles in driving shared prosperity.

Founder and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, congratulated the governor, saying Delta State is now safe and hospitable for investment.

He pledged to partner with the state government to improve electricity distribution and affordability.

Guest Speaker, Prof. Patrick Lumumba, urged stakeholders to ensure Africa’s resources are fully utilised.

He called for a “symbiotic relationship” with foreign partners rather than “parasitic relationships,” stressing that Africans should be seen as investors, while Brazil, China, Europe and the United States should be regarded as partners of goodwill.