Okonjo-Iweala: Nigeria’s Problem Isn’t Budget, But Poor Execution, Maintenance Culture

Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said Nigeria’s economic transformation will not be driven by natural resource endowments or increased budgetary allocations alone, insisting that effective execution, maintenance and infrastructure development remain the country’s biggest challenges.
Speaking as the keynote speaker at the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026, themed: “Harnessing Our Strengths, Unlocking Our Potentials,” Okonjo-Iweala said the country must shift its focus from allocating resources to ensuring projects are properly executed and maintained.
“The fact is that endowments alone do not add value. Budgetary allocat...