In a move that signals a departure from ceremonial participation to purposeful economic diplomacy, Vice-President Kashim Shettima officially inaugurated Nigeria House at the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. For the first time in the nation’s history, Nigeria is occupying a sovereign pavilion of its own—a “front-line seat” designed to convert global conversations into local investments.
1. A Sovereign Pavilion: More Than Just a Building
The inauguration of Nigeria House marks a “historic milestone” in the nation’s global engagement strategy. According to Vice-President Shettima, the house is a response to past economic lapses, serving as a unified platform for:
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Investment & Energy: Showcasing the $30 billion green finance opportunities.
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Technology & Innovation: Presenting Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital ecosystem to global venture capitalists.
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Climate & Culture: Positioning Nigeria as an active participant in the global carbon market and the creative economy.
2. The “Reform Dividend” in Data
The Vice-President used the global stage to present the “measurable rewards” of recent macroeconomic policies. The 2025 fiscal year has produced data points that are attracting fresh attention from international investors:
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3.9% GDP Growth: The fastest growth rate for Nigeria in over a decade.
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Non-Oil Dominance: The non-oil sector now accounts for a staggering 96% of Nigeria’s GDP.
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Fiscal Shift: Non-oil revenues now constitute nearly three-quarters of total government income, signaling a successful, albeit difficult, transition away from crude oil dependency.
3. The Private-Sector Engine
While Nigeria House is a “whole-of-government” initiative led by Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Shettima emphasized that its true success depends on the private sector. The pavilion is designed to be a “handshake zone” where Nigerian entrepreneurs can seal deals with global partners under the protective umbrella of sovereign support. Ms. Omowunmi Imoukhuede, the Lead Execution Partner, noted that the platform offers a “unique, concentrated window” to showcase specific project-ready investments to the world’s most influential capital allocators.
The Bottom Line
The presence of Nigeria House at Davos 2026 reflects a “renewed seriousness.” By establishing a permanent physical and strategic presence at the world’s most important economic gathering, the Tinubu administration is declaring that Nigeria is no longer just “open for business”—it is actively and professionally competing for it.
