Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Thursday urged the Brazilian business community to take advantage of the vast investment opportunities in Delta, stressing that the state is strategically positioned to become a hub for trade, agriculture, energy, and industrial development in Nigeria and West Africa.
Oborevwori made the call in São Paulo while delivering remarks at the “Delta State-Focused Business and Investment Roundtable”, where he highlighted the state’s natural endowments, strategic location, and ongoing reforms aimed at creating an investor-friendly environment.
The Governor noted the strong historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and Brazil, pointing to shared similarities in population size, agricultural potential, cultural diversity, tropical climate, and a mutual love for football.
He described the roundtable as a platform to forge strategic partnerships that would accelerate sustainable growth in both countries.
Tracing Delta’s journey since its creation in 1991, Oborevwori said the state has grown into one of Nigeria’s top five economies with a landmass of more than 18,000 square kilometres and a population of over six million.
“Delta is blessed with vast natural resources and youthful human capital, making it an attractive destination for investors. It is Nigeria’s leading producer of crude oil and holds the country’s largest natural gas reserves, with two major export terminals in Escravos and Forcados,” he stated.
He further highlighted Delta’s long coastline, four seaports, and the ongoing concession of the Burutu Seaport, which he said is poised to become a major trans-shipment hub for West and South-West Africa.
On agriculture, the Governor underscored the state’s fertile soil and prospects in cassava, palm produce, rice, maize, aquaculture, and livestock, while also noting deposits of kaolin, silica, coal, lignite, and iron ore available for commercial exploitation.
Oborevwori emphasised the state’s infrastructure advantage as a connecting point to major Nigerian markets such as Lagos, Onitsha, and Aba, supported by three functional airports and an expanding road network that enhances movement of goods and services.
Since assuming office in May 2023, he said, his administration has prioritised ease of doing business through tax harmonisation, the establishment of economic free trade zones in Koko and Kwale, and the enactment of business-friendly laws.
He also recalled Delta’s recognition in 2024 by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources as the safest state in Nigeria for oil and gas investment.
The Governor disclosed that Delta is advancing its agro-industrialisation agenda with the development of a 180-hectare Agro-Industrial Park, designed to host 20–30 processing plants.
He added that his administration is leveraging public-private partnerships in housing, energy, and manufacturing, while adopting decentralised mini-grids to boost sustainable energy and drive industrialisation.
Oborevwori expressed special interest in Brazil’s world-renowned ranching system, noting that Delta is eager to replicate aspects of the model to strengthen livestock production.
“I eagerly look forward to partnering with the business community of Brazil for our mutual benefit,” the Governor concluded.
