Okonjo-Iweala Blames Poor Maintenance for Slowing Nigeria’s Growth

The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has blamed Nigeria’s poor maintenance culture for reducing the value of public infrastructure and slowing the country’s economic development.

Speaking on Monday at the 2026 Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba, she said infrastructure investments can only deliver lasting benefits when they are properly maintained.

Delivering a keynote address on the theme, “Harnessing Our Strengths, Unlocking Our Potentials,” the former Minister of Finance stressed that budgetary allocations alone cannot guarantee development without effective execution.

Okonjo-Iweala urged governments at all levels to focus on maintaining existing infrastructure and ensuring that public investments translate into sustainable economic growth.