The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has attributed Nigeria's slow infrastructure development and reduced economic returns to the country's poor maintenance culture.

Speaking today while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba, Okonjo-Iweala said sustainable development requires more than budgetary allocations, stressing that effective implementation and proper maintenance of infrastructure are essential.

Addressing the summit the former Minister of Finance noted that financial resources alone do not guarantee development outcomes. Okonjo-Iweala urged governments at all levels to prioritise the upkeep of existing infrastructure alongside the construction of new projects, noting that well-maintained facilities generate greater economic benefits over time.

Listen: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on infrastructure maintenance

She also called for significant improvements in critical infrastructure, particularly ports and digital systems, to reduce the cost of doing business and enhance Nigeria's competitiveness in global trade.

— THENATION