Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has reiterated his administration’s determination to reduce the state’s dependence on oil, declaring that economic diversification remains the surest path to sustainable growth, job creation and improved livelihoods for Deltans.
Key Highlights
- Governor Sheriff Oborevwori reaffirmed Delta State’s commitment to economic diversification beyond oil.
- He said the Delta State Business and Investment Summit 2026 has strengthened investor confidence in the state’s economy.
- The governor stressed that diversifying the economy will create jobs, generate wealth and improve livelihoods.
- Oborevwori noted that the summit successfully brought together investors, development partners, government officials and exhibitors.
- He highlighted the state’s US$100 million Investment De-risking Fund as proof of the government’s commitment to supporting private sector investments.
Speaking at the close of day two of the ongoing three-day Delta State Business and Investment Summit 2026 in Asaba, the governor said the overwhelming participation of investors, development partners, government officials and exhibitors demonstrated growing confidence in the state’s vision to build a resilient, private sector-driven economy.
Oborevwori said the summit had achieved its objective of bringing together stakeholders committed to unlocking investment opportunities across critical sectors beyond oil.
“As I said yesterday, we cannot continue to depend solely on oil. We must diversify our economy. We must attract investments into other sectors, create wealth, generate employment for our young people and improve the lives of our citizens,” he said.
The governor noted that he deliberately monitored activities throughout the summit, interacting with participants and inspecting exhibition stands to assess the level of engagement.
“I kept moving around the venue because I wanted to see things for myself. I wanted to meet people, observe the exhibitions and witness the level of participation firsthand.”
According to him, the continued activity at the exhibition hall even as the summit drew to a close reflected genuine investor interest and distinguished the event from previous gatherings.
“I went back to the exhibition hall. Usually, by this stage of an event like this, exhibitors would have packed up and left. But I was delighted to see that the exhibition stands were still active and people were still engaging. That tells us that this summit has been different.”
Oborevwori thanked participants for believing in Delta State, describing the large turnout over the three-day event as a strong endorsement of the state’s investment agenda.
“I thank every one of you for believing in Delta State. This is your state. The massive turnout over the past three days demonstrates the importance of this summit.”
He said the confidence shown by investors had reinforced government’s resolve to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
“The confidence investors have shown in Delta State is encouraging. You can see from the level of engagement and the commitments already made that they know we are serious.”
The governor also pointed to the state’s US$100 million Investment De-risking Fund as a practical demonstration of his administration’s commitment to supporting private sector investments and accelerating economic growth.
“This is not borrowed money. It is our own commitment to supporting investment and driving economic growth in Delta State.”
Oborevwori described the sustained attendance throughout the business sessions as evidence that the summit had resonated with stakeholders.
“From 10 a.m. this morning until after 5 p.m., this hall has remained full. That speaks volumes. Where else can this happen? It can only happen in Delta State.”
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Insisting that the summit was designed to produce tangible outcomes rather than mere discussions, the governor expressed confidence that the partnerships forged over the three-day event would translate into industrial growth, expanded investment and employment opportunities.
“This is not for show. This is real. The commitment is real, the partnerships are real and the future is real.”
He thanked the organising committee, development partners, investors, exhibitors, traditional rulers, security agencies and government officials for contributing to the success of the summit, while praying for the safe return of participants to their various destinations.
The three-day Delta State Business and Investment Summit 2026 has already featured business-to-business engagements, investment exhibitions, networking sessions and strategic discussions focused on expanding investments in agriculture, manufacturing, energy, the blue economy, technology, solid minerals and other non-oil sectors as part of the state’s long-term economic diversification agenda.
