Chairman of the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA), Idaere Gogo-Ogan, urged political leaders in the region to lead by example by backing reforms, innovation and policies that will drive development in the region.

He urged the governors of the nine Niger Delta states to support policy and infrastructure reforms to reposition the region for sustainable growth.

The states – Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers were also charged to work in unity with others to unlock the region’s full potential, as no single state can deliver its mandate in isolation.

Gogo-Ogan made the call yesterday ahead of the Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit (NDEI Summit), to be held in May 2026.

He called on governors to align with the shared agenda, current priority investment opportunities from their states, and project the Niger Delta as a unified investment destination.

Gogo-Ogan disclosed that President Bola Tinubu and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, are expected at the inaugural summit and exhibition in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

While President Bola Tinubu will serve as the special guest of honour, Mottley will deliver the keynote address at the summit, themed: “Driving Investment, Innovation and Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta.”

“This is our moment to move from discussion to delivery, from potential to productivity, and from a region known mainly for extraction to one recognised for value creation, innovation and shared prosperity,” he said.