Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria possesses abundant natural and economic resources and should not be counted among poor nations.
He made the remarks on Wednesday while delivering the keynote address at the Agric, Development and Investment Summit held in Abuja.
According to the Vice President, Nigeria has vast opportunities in agriculture, aquaculture and other sectors that remain largely untapped.
Indonesia cited as example
Shettima compared Nigeria’s economy with Indonesia’s, pointing to the Southeast Asian country’s earnings from palm oil exports.
He noted that Indonesia generated about $25 billion from crude palm oil exports in 2025, describing the figure as higher than Nigeria’s crude oil revenue during the same period.
The Vice President said the comparison demonstrates the economic value of investing in agriculture and value-added production.
Niger Delta has untapped opportunities
Shettima also highlighted the economic potential of the Niger Delta, describing it as one of the world’s largest delta regions.
He said the area is well suited for activities such as fish farming and the production of seafood, including salmon, tuna and lobsters.
According to him, fully developing these sectors could create jobs, generate wealth and strengthen the country’s economy.
Call for greater investment
The Vice President stressed that Nigeria has the capacity to become one of the world’s wealthiest nations if it effectively harnesses its natural resources.
He urged greater investment in productive sectors, saying the country has enormous opportunities capable of driving long-term economic growth.