Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday commissioned Nigeria’s first-ever sovereign pavilion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, describing the initiative as a clear statement of the country’s renewed seriousness, readiness and resolve to actively shape global economic conversations.

Speaking at the formal opening of Nigeria House at WEF 2026, Shettima said nations do not prosper in isolation, stressing that Nigeria’s future growth depends on deliberate, structured engagement with the global economy.
“This day is extraordinary in the history of our engagement at this beautiful meeting point of global political leadership, policy thinkers and corporate enterprise,” the Vice President said.
“For the first time in our nation’s history, Nigeria stands at Davos with a sovereign pavilion of its own.
“Nigeria House is a response to the lapses of the past. It reflects our intention. It reflects our seriousness. Above all, it advertises our readiness and resolve to take a front-line seat in the global economic discourse, not as observers, but as participants with a clear sense of purpose and place.”

While noting that the pavilion was conceived as a whole-of-government platform led by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, with senior leadership across investment, foreign affairs, energy, infrastructure, technology, climate and culture, Shettima emphasised that its true vitality must come from the private sector.
“Government can open doors, create frameworks and de-risk environments; only enterprise can animate growth, scale opportunity and translate policy into productivity,” he said. “This House will thrive to the extent that it draws life from private capital, private innovation and private confidence.”

The Vice President said the timing of Nigeria House coincides with early dividends of the reforms of the administration of Bola Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s economy expanded by about 3.9 per cent in 2025, the fastest pace in over a decade, driven largely by a resilient non-oil sector that now accounts for roughly 96 per cent of GDP.

According to him, services, agriculture, finance and technology are expanding, non-oil revenues now contribute nearly three-quarters of government collections, inflation has eased from above 30 per cent in late 2024, while foreign reserves have climbed above $45 billion amid improved stability in the foreign exchange market.

Inviting the global business community to leverage the platform, Shettima said, “Nigeria is open for business, but more importantly, Nigeria is open for collaboration. We are here to learn as much as we are here to share opportunities. Progress is not a monologue; it is a dialogue.”

Earlier, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, applauded the Vice President’s support for the realisation of Nigeria House, describing the project as a strong public-private partnership that showcases renewed national confidence and a shift in how Nigeria engages the international business community.

She said the investment playbooks launched at the event, covering solid minerals, climate-smart agriculture, creative and digital sectors, form part of a broader strategy to leverage Nigeria’s vast economic potential and rebuild trust with global investors.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yano, outlined key reforms and interventions in the sector, saying Nigeria House represents a deliberate effort to consolidate the gains of the Tinubu administration’s economic transformation through high-level engagements aimed at attracting non-oil investments.

He also called for fairer access to finance and global supply chains for emerging markets.

The Lead Execution Partner, Nigeria House, Davos, Omowunmi Imoukhuede, described the pavilion as a rare opportunity to tell Nigeria’s investment story on its own terms and project the country’s unique value proposition to the world.

The opening of Nigeria House was preceded by a Global Business Roundtable focused on building resilient supply chains for the energy transition.

Also in attendance were the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Ude; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; heads of government agencies; and captains of industry.