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PEBEC says reforms have shifted from policy design to execution, with faster approvals, regulatory reforms and digital government services now taking centre stage.
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New initiatives, including ReportGov, port reforms and regulatory impact assessments, are aimed at reducing business costs and boosting investor confidence.
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Through the SABER programme, the Federal Government is encouraging states to compete on ease of doing business, tax administration and investment promotion.
July 22 , (THEWILL) — The Federal Government has intensified efforts to improve Nigeria’s business environment, unveiling a new phase of reforms designed to attract private investment, reduce the cost of doing business and support President Bola Tinubu’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.
Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, disclosed this during the Presidential Media Forum at the State House, Abuja, where she said the council has moved beyond policy formulation to measurable implementation.
According to her, every reform introduced since January 2025 has been designed to stimulate private sector investment, strengthen economic growth, create jobs and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness as an investment destination.
She noted that implementation of the Business Facilitation Act across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) has improved transparency by establishing clear service timelines, documentation requirements and official fees for businesses.
Digital reforms target faster business services
Audu said digital transformation remains central to the government’s reform agenda, highlighting the relaunch of the ReportGov platform as a major step towards improving public service delivery.
Originally introduced as a complaints portal, the platform has evolved into a government-wide grievance resolution system linking businesses directly with all 69 business-facing MDAs.
She explained that complaints and service requests can now be tracked in real time, with agencies expected to resolve issues within 72 hours where possible.
To improve accessibility, PEBEC has established ReportGov help desks and kiosks at major airports, including Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt, as well as the Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors.
The council also announced the implementation of Nigeria’s Regulatory Impact Analysis Framework, which requires stakeholder consultations and economic impact assessments before new regulations are introduced, a move expected to make the regulatory environment more predictable for investors.
Port, manufacturing reforms gather momentum
PEBEC also highlighted reforms aimed at improving trade facilitation and reducing compliance costs for businesses.
A memorandum of understanding between the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has eliminated duplicate product testing and certification requirements for manufacturers, shortening product approval timelines.
Similarly, the Vice President recently inaugurated the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee, bringing together key agencies including the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Shippers’ Council and NAFDAC to address operational bottlenecks across the nation’s ports.
According to Audu, the committee has improved cargo clearance procedures, strengthened inter-agency collaboration and reduced delays along the Apapa and Tin Can port corridors, lowering logistics costs for businesses.
States, investors take centre stage
Beyond federal reforms, PEBEC said it is expanding implementation of the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the World Bank and participating state governments.
The initiative encourages competition among states in land administration, taxation, investment promotion, digital government services, public-private partnerships and commercial dispute resolution.
Looking ahead, Audu said the council will deepen implementation of the Business Facilitation Act, expand ReportGov service centres, improve Nigeria’s visa regime, accelerate port reforms, widen digital government services and strengthen engagement with the private sector.
She said the reforms are already reducing the cost of doing business, improving investor confidence and making government institutions more responsive, adding that sustained collaboration with government agencies, states and development partners remains critical to positioning Nigeria as Africa’s preferred investment destination.
Ogochukwu Onwaeze is a writer specializing in business and economic journalism. At THEWILL News Media, she translates market trends, financial developments, and policy shifts into clear and engaging stories.
