FG tasks states on business-enabling reforms

Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, has urged state governments to prioritise implementation of business-enabling reforms to boost investment and economic growth.

Hadejia made the call yesterday in Abuja at the close of a Peer-to-Peer Learning Workshop for State Commissioners of Commerce and Heads of Investment Promotion Agencies.

The workshop was convened under the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) through the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme.

According to him, Nigeria’s economic transformation would depend largely on effective execution of reforms at the sub-national level.

He noted that states are central to attracting investments, implementing policies and driving economic value creation.

Hadejia said that the SABER Programme was designed to incentivise reforms and strengthen institutional capacity at the state level.

He said it is also aimed at aligning sub-national systems with global standards of investment facilitation.

He said these measures would position Nigeria as a more attractive destination for domestic and foreign investment.

He highlighted key priorities, including data-driven investment strategies, inter-agency coordination and digital platforms for investor engagement.

He said others include investment tracking systems and institutionalising investor aftercare.

He expressed confidence that such measures would strengthen state-level competitiveness and improve investor experience.

He said the Federal Government remained committed to reforms that promoted private sector growth and inclusive development.

Hadejia reaffirmed the commitment of the Office of the Vice President to support initiatives that strengthen Nigeria’s business environment.

He said, “The SABER Programme further reinforces this national agenda by embedding reform incentives at the subnational level—where the investor experience is most directly shaped. Consequently, subnational reform is no longer discretionary; it is a strategic imperative.”

Hadejia urged states to leverage their comparative advantages and convert them into viable investment opportunities through strong institutions and efficient systems.

“Every state possesses unique comparative advantages—whether in natural resources, human capital, geographic positioning, or sectoral opportunities. The critical task before us is to systematically translate these assets into bankable, investable opportunities through strong institutions, efficient administrative systems, and sustained political will,” he added.

The Director-General, PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Audu called for stronger implementation of business reforms at the state level to drive investment and economic growth.

Audu said the workshop was designed to bridge the gap through practical learning and real-life examples.

She emphasised that Nigeria’s growth must be holistic, involving both federal and sub-national efforts.

“It cannot just be federal policies or a few states performing well; all states must move together,” she said.

The PEBEC DG stressed the need for a balance between competition and collaboration among states.

She said the ultimate goal was to attract investments into Nigeria and improve the overall business environment.

Audu said: “PEBEC uses data-driven rankings to measure progress and impact of reforms across states.Data speaks. It helps us assess performance, identify gaps and improve outcomes.

“The council gathers data through nationwide tours, stakeholder engagements and private sector feedback. These engagements provide first-hand insights into business conditions in different states”.

Audu said PEBEC had digitised its processes to provide real-time support and technical assistance to states.

The director-general said that the council operated a portal that served as a repository of information on business reforms.

She said the platform also enabled states to access guidance and resolve challenges promptly.

Audu urged participants to apply knowledge gained from the workshop to strengthen reforms in their states.

The state commissioners commended the PEBEC while pledging to domesticate lessons from the workshop in developing their states and the nation at large.

SABER, is a World Bank-supported initiative aims to improve the ease of doing business across the country by strengthening sub national investment climates, with to 28 states already accessing a total of 68.36 million dollars in rewards for meeting key reform milestones.