Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has formally commissioned Nigeria House—the country’s first sovereign pavilion—at the ongoing 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Davos, Switzerland.
The event took place on Monday, January 19, 2026, marking a milestone in Nigeria’s engagement with global economic leadership.
Addressing participants at the commissioning ceremony, Shettima described the pavilion as a symbol of Nigeria’s renewed seriousness, readiness and resolve to participate actively in global economic discussions.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the vice president said the pavilion reflects the nation’s intention to contribute meaningfully to international economic discourse rather than remain passive observers.
“For the first time in our nation’s history, Nigeria stands at Davos with a sovereign pavilion of its own,” Shettima said, underscoring the significance of the development in expanding the country’s diplomatic and economic footprint.
The Nigeria House, established through a public‑private partnership, is designed to serve as a hub for high‑level engagements, including ministerial dialogues, investment roundtables and cultural diplomacy throughout the WEF meeting.
The facility is expected to showcase Nigeria’s economic potentials and serve as a platform for dialogue between Nigerian officials and global decision‑makers.
Shettima observed that while the initiative was conceived as a whole‑of‑government platform incorporating leadership across trade, investment, foreign affairs, energy, technology and culture, its long‑term success will depend on private sector participation and innovation.
“Government can open doors, create frameworks, and de‑risk environments; only enterprise can animate growth, scale opportunity, and translate policy into productivity,” he stated.
He also highlighted the early economic gains of the Tinubu administration’s reforms, noting improvements in non‑oil growth, diversification of revenue streams and tighter macroeconomic buffers, which he said signal a turning point for Nigeria’s economy.
Officials accompanying the vice president at the event included the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, who commended Shettima’s support in realising the pavilion’s vision and described the project as evidence of Nigeria’s evolving approach to global economic engagement.
The World Economic Forum’s 2026 session, which runs from January 19 to January 23, 2026, brings together political, business and civil society leaders from around the world to discuss global economic issues, technological innovation and strategies for sustainable development. The Nigeria House is expected to play a central role in advancing Nigeria’s strategic economic interests during the event.
