By Adeola Badru

The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has announced plans to mobilize up to $5 billion in structured investments over the next five years, with the aim of generating at least 500,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The initiative seeks to position Nigeria’s oil-producing heartland as a global investment hub.

The announcement was made by the chamber’s Chairman, Amb. Idaere Gogo Ogan, during a pre-summit briefing ahead of the Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit, scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from May 19 to 21, 2026.

The summit, themed “Driving Investment, Innovation, and Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta”, aims to chart a path for enterprise growth, industrial expansion, and regional coordination across the nine Niger Delta states.

“This initiative is designed to catalyze economic activity across the region. We are targeting structured investments that will create wealth, foster innovation, and generate employment for hundreds of thousands of Nigerians. The message is clear: ambition must now translate into implementation,” Amb. Ogan said.

The summit is expected to attract national and international figures, with President Bola Tinubu attending as special guest and the Prime Minister of Barbados, Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, delivering the keynote address, highlighting the event’s significance as a platform for cross-border partnerships and investment promotion.

Amb. Ogan also highlighted the recent Niger Delta Business Roundtable, which brought together policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and development stakeholders, sending a message that the region must move from vision to tangible results.

NDCCITMA Secretary and Chairman of the summit’s local organizing committee, Dr. Solomon Edebiri, described the summit as a strategic instrument to reposition the Niger Delta as a competitive hub for sustainable industrialization and enterprise development.

“The Niger Delta has long been recognized for its contribution to Nigeria’s economy through oil and gas. But the true wealth of the region lies in its diverse resources and untapped opportunities. This summit is our platform to showcase, highlight, and unlock that potential,” Dr. Edebiri noted.

The organizing committee has planned a wide-ranging program, including a roadshow across all nine Niger Delta states, Lagos, and the Federal Capital Territory, culminating in a follow-up press conference to engage stakeholders and investors.

Officials present at the pre-summit briefing included Chief Kelechi Obilor, Financial Secretary of NDCCITMA; Mrs. Boma Jack, Board Member; Hon. Marcel Odunze, Board Member; and other key officials, all reaffirming the chamber’s commitment to turning the Niger Delta into a hub for investment, innovation, and industrial growth.