DELTA State’s growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s most attractive destinations for investment received yet another strong validation at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Cubana Millennium City in Okpanam. Beyond the pomp and ceremony, the event reaffirmed that Delta State is open for business, confident in its economic future, and steadily positioning itself as a hub for local and international investors. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, whose administration continues to push the boundaries of economic expansion under the M.O.R.E Agenda, has consistently emphasised that the state’s doors are wide open to investors.
It is significant that Chairman of the Cubana Group, Chief Obinna Iyiegbu, described the project as a bold expression of investor confidence made possible by Delta’s conducive environment. Investors do not commit billions of naira to any state without an assurance of peace, stability and predictability.
Governor Oborevwori was right to point out that the sustained peace and security enjoyed across the state is not accidental but the product of deliberate policy direction, strengthened law enforcement, robust community engagement and a governance model that inspires trust. These elements form the bedrock of Delta State’s investment narrative, and they continue to draw attention beyond Nigeria’s borders.
The Governor’s recent investment drive to Brazil further demonstrates a proactive leadership committed to courting global partnerships. His meetings with industry captains and agricultural conglomerates in São Paulo and Brasília were not mere photo opportunities but strategic engagements to expand Delta’s investment frontier. By showcasing the state’s economic potential on an international platform, Oborevwori deepened dialogue on agro-processing, manufacturing, energy, sports development and technology transfer.
Such outward-focused economic diplomacy is essential for the kind of massive industrial growth Delta seeks, and it strengthens the confidence of investors like the Cubana Group who want to operate in a state that thinks and acts globally.
Delta State’s readiness for large-scale investment is further reflected in its evolving economic geography. The state boasts three Special Economic Zones designed to attract high-value industries. The Kwale Free Trade Zone, Koko Free Trade Zone and the Ogwashi-Uku Agro Industrial Park all offer incentives such as tax holidays, duty-free imports and exports, and fast-tracked business processes. These zones are catalysts for industrialisation, deliberately sited across different geopolitical areas to widen economic participation and ensure inclusive development.
Their existence positions Delta as a frontier for light manufacturing, agro-processing, logistics, maritime commerce and export-led industrial growth.
Complementing these zones is a transportation and logistics network unique among sub-national governments in Nigeria. Delta State hosts three airports- the Asaba International Cargo Airport, the Osubi/Warri Airport and the Escravos Airport serving the coastal oil terminal. Combined with the maritime assets of the Warri Port and the Koko Port, the state commands an enviable multimodal transport advantage. Goods can move by air, road, sea and inland waterways, reducing transit time and making the state one of the hottest and most competitive investment destinations in the country.
The Cubana Millennium City project, therefore, fits naturally into Delta’s expanding vision of development. With promises of integrated smart communities, commercial districts, green areas, entertainment clusters and thousands of direct and indirect jobs, the project is not just an architectural landmark but an economic stimulus with ripple effects across the capital territory.
While we commend the state government for the peace, security and investor-friendly environment it has successfully built, we encourage it not to rest on its oars.
There remains a need to strengthen the foundations that support both foreign and local investors. Improved judicial reforms will help accelerate commercial justice and ensure faster dispute resolution, especially for SMEs. The implementation of state-backed credit guarantee schemes would boost access to finance for local entrepreneurs eager to expand.
There is also the need to harmonise interstate trade and market access, streamline processes for business registration and further strengthen electricity supply for industrial clusters to reduce dependency on costly private energy sources.
These additional steps will not only deepen investor confidence but also boost Delta State’s ranking in the Sub-national Ease of Doing Business index, ensuring that the state remains a reference point in Nigeria’s investment landscape. Governor Oborevwori administration has laid a strong foundation, and with continued reforms, Delta State is well on its way to becoming one of the most compelling and competitive investment destinations in West Africa.
