Vice-President Kashim Shettima said the inauguration of Nigeria’s first House in Davos reflects renewed seriousness, readiness and resolve to shape global economic conversations.

Shettima spoke on Monday at the formal opening of Nigeria House during the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

He described the opening as a historic milestone in Nigeria’s global economic engagement at the WEF 2026.

The Vice-President said nations do not prosper in isolation, noting that Nigeria’s future growth depends on deliberate, structured global economic engagement.

“This day is extraordinary in the history of our engagements at this meeting point of global political leadership, policy thinkers and corporate enterprise.

“For the first time in our nation’s history, Nigeria stands at Davos with a sovereign pavilion of its own,” he said.

Shettima said Nigeria House responds to past lapses, reflecting the country’s seriousness, readiness and resolve to engage globally with purpose.

“It advertises our intention to take a front-line seat in the global economy, not as observers, but as purposeful participants,” he stated.

He said the House was conceived as a whole-of-government platform led by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.

Shettima said senior leaders across investment, foreign affairs, energy, infrastructure, technology, climate and culture were brought together under one roof.

He, however, stressed that the House’s true essence must be driven by the private sector.

“Government can open doors and de-risk environments; only enterprises can animate growth and translate policy into productivity.

“This House will thrive through private capital, innovation and confidence,” Shettima said.

The Vice-President said dividends of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms are beginning to materialise.

 “Our decision to open up more deliberately comes at a turning point in our economic journey.

“The dividends of difficult but inevitable reforms are beginning to show,” Shettima said.

He recalled that Nigeria’s economy expanded by about 3.9 per cent in 2025, the fastest growth in over a decade.

Shettima said growth was driven by a resilient non-oil economy, accounting for roughly 96 per cent of GDP.

 “Services, agriculture, finance and technology are expanding, while non-oil revenues now form nearly three-quarters of government collections,” he said.

He added that inflation eased significantly by end-2025, while foreign reserves rose above 45 billion dollars, improving exchange market stability.

Shettima invited global businesses to leverage Nigeria House, saying, “Nigeria is open for business and open for collaboration.”

He assured that Nigeria House would host conversations capable of advancing Nigeria and the global community.

“Progress is not a monologue; it is a dialogue,” the Vice-President said.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said the project reflects strong public-private partnership and economic rejuvenation.

“It showcases national pride and a shift in how Nigeria engages the international business community,” Oduwole said.

She highlighted Tinubu’s reforms as incentives for increased private sector investment.

Oduwole said Nigeria is rebuilding trust, restoring credibility and positioning itself as a global centre for wealth creation partnerships.

She noted that playbooks launched target solid minerals, climate-smart agriculture, creative and digital sectors.

Lead Execution Partner, Nigeria House Davos, Omowunmi Imoukhuede, said the platform offers a rare chance to tell Nigeria’s investment stories.

Ahead of the opening, a Global Business Roundtable focused on resilient energy transition supply chains was held.

The Police Command in Rivers has arrested Insp. Victor Okus for allegedly shooting his colleague, Insp. Ibrahim Sani, to death in the state.

The command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday.

She said Okus, attached to 17 Police Mobile Force (PMF) and on special duty at Intels Logistics Company, Onne, was currently in police custody.

According to her, the incident occurred on Jan.

Iringe-Koko said the deceased and another officer, both attached to 14 PMF, Yola, were on joint guard duty with military personnel when the incident occurred.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that Okus allegedly opened fire on his colleagues, who sustained gunshot injuries on the head and neck,” she said.

She added that the injured police officers were immediately rushed to the hospital, where Sani later died as a result of the injuries he sustained.

Iringe-Koko said the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the Military Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

She added that the second officer, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, was currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

“The suspect will face an orderly room trial to ascertain the motive behind the shooting and will subsequently be charged to court for possible prosecution if found culpable,” she said.

The statement quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state, Olugbenga Adepoju, to have ordered “a comprehensive and transparent investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting”.

Adepoju was also reported to have advised officers handling firearms to exercise utmost responsibility and prioritise the safety of colleagues and members of the public while on duty.

He stressed that professionalism and discipline must be always upheld to prevent avoidable tragedies.

The Lagos State Government has reassured the residents of its commitment to safeguarding lives and property as well as quick and efficient emergency response.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave the reassurance following the fall of a tanker and spilling of its content on Monday morning at the Liverpool Bridge/Tincan Island area of Apapa.

The incident led to safety concerns.

The tanker laden with diesel overturned on the bridge, inward Mile 2, spilling its content.

The incident caused gridlock on the busy corridor.

 Sanwo-Olu said that relevant emergency and safety agencies were actively managing the situation to prevent further risks to Lagos residents and infrastructure.

He said the government would not relent until the affected areas would be fully secure and declared safe for normal activities.

”First responders have cordoned off the spot.

”Of recent, we had a fire outbreak at the GNI building. We are still trying to make a headway, and now this,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu said that the incident underscored the need for collective vigilance and adherence to safety regulations, particularly in transport and handling of petroleum products.

” We need to do better as residents. As individuals, you are responsible for your safety first, ” Sanwo-Olu said.

He reiterated his administration’s resolve to strengthen enforcement and emergency response mechanisms to minimise similar occurrences.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, in a statement signed by its Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, also said that the tanker was leaking fuel and that emergency responders had been deployed to the scene.

“Our attention has been brought to a fallen tanker at the above location, which is leaking fuel.

“All emergency responses have been activated and responders are en route to the location,” the statement read.