Rita Enemuru, Reporting
ASABA — Renowned Pan-African scholar and governance expert Professor Patrick Lumumba has issued a powerful challenge to Delta State, urging its leaders to stop measuring success against other Nigerian states and instead position the region as one of Africa’s premier industrial and investment destinations.
Speaking at the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026 in Asaba, Professor Lumumba revealed that Delta’s economy already surpasses that of more than 20 African nations, insisting that the state possesses all the raw ingredients required to become a continental economic powerhouse.
“Your own state has an economy larger than over 20 African countries,” he declared. “The question is, with all the resources that we have — whether we are talking about agriculture, minerals, oil, pharmaceuticals or the blue economy — what are we doing that is keeping with the demands of the 21st century?”
The esteemed scholar argued that Africa’s population now exceeds 1.4 billion, yet millions of young Africans continue to risk their lives making perilous journeys to Europe in search of opportunities.
He contended that the continent already possesses the human and natural resources needed for prosperity but lacks the political will and strategic leadership required to unlock them.
Professor Lumumba praised Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for recognising the state’s strengths and initiating bold policies to attract investment, particularly the recently announced $100 million Viability Gap Fund designed to de-risk private sector investments. He described the initiative as precisely the type of courageous leadership African governments must embrace if they hope to transform their economies.
However, he issued a stark warning against excessive reliance on foreign capital, insisting that Africans possess both the financial resources and intellectual capacity to finance their own development.
“It is deeply tragic that in our interpretation and understanding of who an investor is in Africa, we still don’t think that fellow Africans are investors,” he said. “We think our investors must be Chinese, Malaysians, Brazilians or Europeans. That is not the case.”
The professor called for stronger regional integration and urged Delta State to take full advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by attracting investors from across the continent rather than focusing solely on international partners.
He disclosed that members of the Pan-African Investment Movement had expressed interest in participating in the Delta Investment Summit but were not invited, urging organisers to ensure broader African participation in future editions.
He also encouraged Governor Oborevwori to build stronger economic partnerships with neighbouring states, particularly Anambra, saying co-operation among sub-national governments would accelerate regional development and complement the Federal Government’s macroeconomic reforms.
Professor Lumumba further challenged Delta State to prioritise research, innovation, skills development and industrialisation, urging greater investment in universities and research institutions capable of generating solutions for agriculture, energy, manufacturing and technology.
He highlighted energy as the backbone of industrial growth, echoing earlier calls by business leaders for expanded electricity generation and distribution.
“Delta looks promising,” he concluded. “Keep it that way. Make it even better. Think beyond yourselves, bearing in mind that you are not truly successful until your successor also succeeds.”