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Tag: PEBEC

  • PEBEC, NPA set to achieve 7-day cargo dwell time, facilitates seamless trade

    PEBEC, NPA set to achieve 7-day cargo dwell time, facilitates seamless trade

    The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has concluded a three-day high-level stakeholder engagement in Lagos, to reduce cargo dwell time and improve vessel turnaround time to attract investment and facilitate seamless trade.

    Titled “Achieving a 7-Day Cargo Dwell Time,” the session brought together the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee (PCEC) under the Business Environment Enhancement Programme Accelerator (BEEPA) framework and hosted by the NPA was geared towards streamlining port processes to bolster the ease of doing business across the nation’s sea ports.

    The engagement, which was held at the Lagos Port Complex (LPC) in Apapa, followed an extensive “shadowing” exercise where officials observed real-time vessel berthing and cargo clearance operations at both the Tin-Can Island and Lagos Port Complexes (LPC).

    Speaking at the event, the Director General of PEBEC, Zahrah Mustapha emphasised that the session was designed to move beyond identifying hurdles toward implementing long-overdue practical solutions.

    “Nigeria loses significantly every day due to operational inefficiencies.These are not just numbers; they represent missed opportunities, jobs not created, and delayed economic growth. This reform is about resilience and unlocking the nation’s economic potential,” Mustapha said.

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    He noted that the initiative integrates both government regulators and private sector stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability, with the ultimate goal of reducing cargo dwell time and improving vessel turnaround time.

    In his address, the Managing Director of the NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho reiterated the Authority’s commitment to supporting PEBEC’s mandates.

    He highlighted the NPA’s progress including collaborating with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to deploy the Port Community System (PCS) which will serve as the digital backbone for the National Single Window, a move expected to eliminate manual bottlenecks and synchronize port operations.

    Recall that the NPA achieved a 100% success rate in PEBEC reforms, ranking 5th among agencies in 2025 with an 84.2% compliance rating.

    The outcomes of this engagement are expected to be implemented within the coming months. By closing the operational gaps identified during the port inspections, the NPA and PEBEC aim to create a more competitive maritime environment that attracts investment and facilitates seamless trade.

  • Kaduna secures second position in 2025 PEBEC Ease of Doing Business ranking

    Kaduna secures second position in 2025 PEBEC Ease of Doing Business ranking

    Kaduna State has reinforced its position as one of Nigeria’s most reform-driven subnational governments, emerging as the second-best performing state in the 2025 Subnational Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Report released by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

    According to the report, Kaduna achieved a score of 65.1%, reflecting significant progress in areas such as infrastructure quality, digital connectivity, land administration, power reliability, skilled labour readiness, taxation, trade logistics, and commercial justice.

    The report assessed states across 16 indicators and 36 sub-metrics, highlighting best practices and areas for immediate improvement. 

    Among the top five, Lagos State led with 85.6%, followed by Kaduna, with Oyo, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Ogun completing the ranking with 62.7%, 61.0%, and 59.9% respectively.

    Speaking on the ranking, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Information, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, quoted Governor Uba Sani as describing the achievement as a “testament to Kaduna State’s commitment to creating a transparent, efficient, and investor-friendly environment.”

    The Governor reportedly commended the state’s agencies for their dedication to implementing reforms that have positioned Kaduna as a leading destination for business and economic growth.

    PEBEC also identified five priority reforms for states, including establishing investor aftercare systems, enhancing MSME credit access, harmonizing interstate trade rules, upgrading commercial justice systems, and improving electricity reliability in industrial clusters—reforms that align closely with Kaduna’s ongoing business-enabling initiatives.

    The Council described the 2025 reports as vital tools for guiding policy decisions, attracting investments, and boosting long-term economic competitiveness, particularly through the $750 million State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme.

    Established in July 2016 and chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, PEBEC continues to drive reforms aimed at removing bureaucratic barriers and strengthening Nigeria’s business climate.

    Kaduna’s ranking underscores the state’s commitment to sustained reform, economic growth, and the creation of an enabling environment for investors.

  • PEBEC visits Kwara as govt holds town hall meeting on business enabling reforms

    PEBEC visits Kwara as govt holds town hall meeting on business enabling reforms

    Kwara State Government has organised a one-day technical workshop and town hall meeting to enlighten stakeholders and strengthen existing collaborations on the state Action Business Enabling Reforms (SABER).  

    Attended by participants from public and private sectors, the engagement was held in collaboration with a high-powered delegation of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

    Attendees included members of the State Executive Council; local government Chairmen and Vice Chairmen; PEBEC Director General Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, represented by Mr Shima Kennedy; Chairman, Judicial Committee on Small Claims Court, Justice Ibijoke Olawoyin; members of the State Ease of Doing Business Council (EODBC); representative of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council; representative of the State Artisan Congress; and leaders of marketers’ associations.

    Chairman of Ease of Doing Business Council and Commissioner for Finance, Dr Hauwa Nuru, said the session was to deepen public understanding about the ongoing business reforms, strengthen collaboration, and drive forward the reform agenda that will shape the future of governance and enterprise in the state.

    Kwara under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has made remarkable progress by implementing wide-ranging reforms to improve the business environment, promote transparency, and strengthen service delivery to citizens and investors, she said.

    “This technical workshop offers us the opportunity to review the current reform roadmap, understand the technical requirements of Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLI), strengthen our implementation strategies to ensure we meet and exceed SEBER performance targets, among other goals,” she added.

    “Through SABER, we have clear opportunities to enhance the efficiency of land administration and business registration, improve the effectiveness of investment promotion and PPP frameworks; streamline the use of technology in procurement, tax administration, and service delivery; and promote measurable transparency and accountability in governance.”

    Nuru commended the PEBEC team for a meaningful collaboration and the EODBC members for their tireless efforts towards realising objectives of the Council in the state.

    Commissioner for Communications, Bola Olukoju, said the government leverages social media platforms to give more information about its activities, monitor feedback, and ensure robust engagements with different segments of the society.

    Commissioner for Environment, Nafisat Buge, said the administration has introduced various initiatives to ensure that every Kwaran and investor lives in a clean, safe, and healthy environment.

    Chairman State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS), Mrs Folashade Omoniyi, said the government is creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

    Read Also: PEBEC expresses commitment to improving business environment  

    She also enlightened the gathering about the benefits of the newly introduced tax reform law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying it will help harmonise tax collections and block leakages.

    Kennedy said PEBEC has a mandate to deliver Nigeria’s business environment reform, with the dual mandate to remove bureaucratic and legislative constraints to doing business and to improve the perception about ease of doing business in Nigeria.

    PEBEC embarks on an annual nationwide tour to evaluate states on their implementation of key business enabling reforms, engage private stakeholders in solution focused dialogue to gather

    feedback on the business climate, and deliver targeted technical sessions focused on driving year-3 success under the SABER programme, according to Kennedy. 

    Chairman, State Artisan Congress, Alhaji Jimoh Adesina and Iya Loja General of Kwara State, Hajia Muibat Olumo, among other participants, lauded the government for its business friendly programmes, financial support for marketers and how its urban renewal project eases road traffic and adds beauty to marketplaces.

    They also sought more support for the artisans and marketers.

    There was also a panel discussion, moderated by PEBEC’s Kennedy, where participants asked questions and offered suggestions about improving the relationships between government and its stakeholders.

  • PEBEC expresses commitment to improving business environment  

    PEBEC expresses commitment to improving business environment  

    Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has said it remains committed to working with relevant stakeholders to improve the ease of doing business in the country.

    Its Director General, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, expressed commitment to working relevant stakeholders on the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) Amended Levies matter.

    In a press release made available to reporters in Abuja, she said the matter has been escalated to Office of the Vice President and House of Representatives for swift resolution.

    “The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has escalated the matter of the FRCN amended levies to the Office of the Vice President, who chairs PEBEC. 

    “Accordingly, the Office of the Vice President forwarded a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, seeking swift action to resolve the issue.

    “Following the letter, the PEBEC Director General met with the Honourable Speaker and discussed the need for urgent resolution, with the Honourable Speaker committing to convene a meeting with the relevant House Committee Chairmen to address the matter swiftly. 

    “With this strategic action, we anticipate a resolution and next steps on the amended levies matter before the end of May.

    “As we all know, the FRCN amended levies are part of an amended act which is now a law, and it is imperative that this matter is tackled correctly to ensure a conducive business environment in Nigeria. 

    “PEBEC remains committed to working with relevant stakeholders to resolve this issue and improve the ease of doing business in the country.

    “We look forward to a swift resolution and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the business environment in Nigeria is conducive for growth and development,” Audu said.

  • PEBEC names Tolaram member firm of inaugural cohort

    PEBEC names Tolaram member firm of inaugural cohort

    The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has named Tolaram – one of Nigeria’s leading conglomerates as one of the companies forming the inaugural cohort of the prestigious Platinum PEBEC Business Champions (PPBC).

    The council disclosed this during a visit to the Lagos Free Zone (LFZ), a Tolaram venture, on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, in Ibeju Lekki. The visit was led by the Special Adviser to the President on PEBEC & Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole.

    The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) was established in July 2016 to oversee Nigeria’s business environment reform intervention with the dual mandate of removing bureaucratic and legislative constraints to doing business and improving the perception of the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

    Dr. Oduwole explained that the Program aims to deliver a targeted impact on company operations to foster growth in Nigeria’s economic landscape. She noted that this special cohort of Business Champions was strategically curated from companies grossing over USD 1 billion in revenue per annum that have demonstrated a strong commitment to driving inclusive growth.

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    “Our selection criteria for these companies include factors such as the number of jobs these entities support, the value of tax remittances, the value of foreign exchange earnings they bring into the country, and evidence of their regulatory compliance status” she said.

    On the rationale for selecting Tolaram, Dr. Oduwole described Tolaram as a leading player in Nigeria’s economic landscape, with relentless investments in diverse sectors and a commitment to innovation that has significantly advanced Nigeria’s economic growth and global standing. She commended Tolaram’s unwavering dedication to transforming the Nigerian economy through its remarkable contributions across various industries.

    In his remarks, Mr Haresh Aswani, Managing Director of Tolaram, commended the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) for recognising Tolaram’s contributions to the growth of the Nigerian economy.

    Haresh pledged the company’s commitment to continue investing in Nigeria, with a focus on building more industries that would address the issue of unemployment in the country.

    “We are grateful to PEBEC for recognising Tolaram’s contribution to the Nigerian economy by including us in the inaugural cohort of the prestigious Platinum PEBEC Business Champions Program. This recognition further strengthens our commitment to doing business in Nigeria. As you know, Tolaram has been here for more than 50 years. We are constantly focused on building more and more industries” he said.

    He stressed the need for deeper collaboration between Tolaram and PEBEC to create new and greater opportunities that would grow the economy.

    “As a business, we would continue to collaborate with you in a way that would allow us to explore greater opportunities for growth and posterity. We hope that we can continue doing this in a smooth way and with a great impact on the Nigerian economy,” he said.

  • Presidency rates NAQS high in latest PEBEC reform assessment

    Presidency rates NAQS high in latest PEBEC reform assessment

    The Federal Government has rated the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) high in the latest Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Regulatory Reforms Assessment. 

    NAQS was lauded for attaining a 100% rating and ranking in first place out of 36 Ministries, Department and Agencies of government (MDAs).

    According to Senyamba Tanto, Head, Media Communications and Strategies of NAQS, the  recognition was announced by Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business, at the Inaugural PEBEC townhall meeting held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja. 

    Following the reappointment of Dr Vincent Isegbe as Director General of Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service in March 2024, his reappointment came with a charge from President Bola Tinubu to build on the service’s performance after it previously ranked among the top three agencies of the Federal Government in the efficiency and transparency index by the PEBEC. 

    Oduwole said: “NAQS’s performance sets a new benchmark for regulatory agencies in Nigeria. Their commitment to excellence and service delivery is exemplary and aligns with PEBEC’s mission to create a business-friendly environment.” 

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    Isegbe expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, “Achieving a 100% PEBEC rating is a testament to our dedication and unwavering commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. 

    “We owe a significant portion of this success to the exceptional leadership and support of our Honorable Minister, Senator 

    Abubakar Kyari. His dedication to driving NAQS to the top has been invaluable. The Honorable Minister’s vigilance in monitoring our performance on the PEBEC tracker daily and his consistent reminders to maintain our rightful position at number one have kept us motivated and focused and it allows NAQS to align completely with the renewed hope agenda of the current administration.”

    Isegbe said the accomplishment was a collective effort of the fantastic NAQS PEBEC Team who engages him on a daily early morning briefings and consultation for performance appraisal and the general cooperation of the entire NAQS Officers. 

    He pledged that NAQS is committed to maintaining these high standards of excellence by raising the bar in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, sustaining this momentum and continuing to serve as Nigeria’s lead regulatory agency and first line of defense in agriculture and food security. 

    He said NAQS remained steadfast in its mission to protect Nigeria’s agricultural integrity and facilitate seamless agricultural import and exports. 

  • PEBEC: Marine and Blue economy ministry emerges as overall best performer

    PEBEC: Marine and Blue economy ministry emerges as overall best performer

    The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, led by former Osun state governor, Gboyega Oyetola, has been recognized as the top-performing ministry in the Ease of Doing Business ranking.

    This announcement was made on Friday at a town hall meeting by Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Special Adviser to the President on the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and Investment.

    Dr. Oduwole explained that the meeting, chaired by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, was held to review the Regulatory Reform Accelerator (RRA) report in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point agenda, which prioritizes business climate reforms.

    Read Also: PEBEC: Marine & Blue Economy emerges overall best performing ministry

    She further mentioned that the minister had convened a meeting with the heads of agencies under his jurisdiction, urging them to strive for the ministry to reach the top position, which they successfully achieved.

    “The minister deserves special recognition and applause,” Dr. Oduwole stated.

    Experts noted that this recognition is a testament to the strategic vision and tireless efforts dedicated to advancing Nigeria’s marine and blue economy sector by the minister.

    With this latest ranking, the ministry’s commitment to sustainable development and innovative policies has set a new benchmark for excellence in governance and public service.

  • PEBEC releases compliance report

    PEBEC releases compliance report

    The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) yesterday  released the 2023 Half-Year Executive Order 001 Compliance Report. It is now  codified under the Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Acts (BFA) 2022).

    The Executive Order 001 Compliance report was released during a stakeholder sensitisation session with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Abuja as it fulfills the Council’s continued commitment to track compliance with the Executive Order on promoting transparency and efficiency in the Nigerian business environment.

    Special Adviser to the President on PEBEC,  Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said over the past six years, the PEBEC had  published EO1 Compliance Reports, providing analyses of the monthly reports from MDAs.

    She stated that an MDA’s EO1 performance score is based on efficiency and transparency, with a 70 per cent to 30 per cent ratio.

    “Efficiency measures compliance with service delivery timelines and directives of the EO1 are put into consideration, while transparency is assessed based on website updates, online service portals, detailed service information, timelines, costs, statutory requirements, and customer service contact details.

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    “The latest EO1 Compliance Report covers January to June 2023. The top five performing MDAs during this period are the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) with an impressive 83.06 per cent, followed by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) at 82.85 per cent, and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) ranking third with 69.85 per cent.

    “The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) secured the fourth and fifth positions, scoring 67.99 per cent and 64.01 per cent as the SA urges MDAs to leverage the findings in the report to deliver the much-needed improvement in transparency and efficiency of public service delivery and improve the Nigerian business environment”.

    The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) was established in July 2016 by the Federal Government to oversee Nigeria’s business environment intervention with the dual mandate of removing bureaucratic and legislative constraints to doing business and improving the perception of the ease of doing business in Nigeria. The Council is chaired by His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima GCON.

  • OGFZA gets Fed Govt’s ease-of-doing-business award

    The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) was at the weekend, decorated as the best parastatal of the Federal Government in the implementation of the policy on the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria by Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

    PEBEC which reviewed the implementation of the policy by 44 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government in 2018, ranked OGFZA number one with a score of 94 per cent. The Federal Ministry of Finance trailed it in second place.

    Managing Director of OGFZA, Mr Umana Okon Umana, was called onto the podium to receive the award in a well-attended ceremony held at the banquet hall of the State House, Abuja. The ceremony was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is the chairman of PEBEC, and Dr Okechukwu Enelemah, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, who is the vice chairman of PEBEC.

    The Ease of Doing Business initiative, which came as Executive Order number 1, was signed into force on 18 May 2017 by Vice President Osinbajo, who was then Acting President.

    The first of a series of executive orders meant to improve governance in the country, Executive Order 1 (EO1) seeks to promote transparency and efficiency in the business environment. The PEBEC office projects that “EO 1 will transform the way the FGN and its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) serve the business community and the public at large.”

    EO1 has six directives designed to eliminate limitations in the civil and public services systems. The directives target transparency, default approval (to fuel efficiency), One government (for efficiency), entry experience of visitors and travelers, port operations and registration of businesses.

    In 2017, OGFZA won global recognition when the FDi Magazine, a publication of the Financial Times of London, named the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zones, administered by OGFZA, as world number one in incentives granted to free zone enterprises and the best in special services to investors.

     

     

  • Fed govt launches mobile app to boost ease of doing business

    The Federal Government through the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) on Thursday launched a new Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Mobile App, Nigeria’s official public service feedback and complaints platform for business environment reforms.

    The web-based portal or platform will enable the PEBEC office resolve issues and complaints encountered by private sector operators with government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) within 72 hours of lodging same.

    President Muhammadu Buhari established thee PEBEC in July 2016 with the aim of eliminating the delays and restrictions that come with doing business in Nigeria thereby, making the country a place to start and grow a business.

    On May 18, 2017, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, signed the first executive order (EO1) to promote transparency and efficiency in the business environment. It was aimed at removing the hurdles that stand in the way of a bigger and more productive private sector.

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    The launch of the (EoDB) Mobile App in Lagos, on Thursday, was therefore, a step forward in the Federal Government’s resolve to make the business environment conducive and also boost domestic and foreign investments.

    At the unveiling of the web-based application, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, explained that while the EO1 was all on transparency and efficiency, the app is the other side of the coin, where the private

    sector gets to see what is going on from their end.

    She described the EoDB Mobile App as revolutionary, pointing out that Nigeria has never walked down this road before. “Collaboration has been the cornerstone of this initiative,” she said, adding that PEBEC engaged extensively with various stakeholders.

    While noting that the initiative was aimed at making sure that public and civil servants adhere to Service Level Agreements (SLAs), Oduwole said the PEBEC has spent a lot of time building capacity to ensure that feedbacks and complaints from the private sector are resolved within the 72 hours approved by the president. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, said the launch of the web-based app was in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to being a business enabler and facilitator. “It’s about energizing businesses and making the business environment conducive,” he said.

    He said the app, which is now available for download, is already on Goodle Store, while efforts are being made to also put it on Apple Play Store. He also assured that complaints made on the new app will be quickly resolved, urging users to download it on their mobile

    phones. The Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Muda Yusuf, described the app as “A game changer and one of the best things to happen to this country.”

    He said although, the PEBEC office has been doing a lot, it’s still work in progress. “There is still a whole lot more to be done, despite a few progresses that have been made,” he said.

    Yusuf, who spoke during a panel discussion to discuss issues bordering on transparency and efficiency of service delivery in Nigeria, observed, for instance, that there is need for the World Bank to review the indicators for composition of the EoDB Index to reflect the reality of each country.

    He said countries vary in their peculiarities and challenges; that some of the indicators in the EoDB composition do not properly capture the critical variables in the Nigerian environment such as power, transportation and security.

    “We need to address all these other variables that are not on the list of the EoDB parameters,”

    Yusuf said, pointed out, for instance, that the present indicators are about construction permit, ease of starting business, credit, reforms, trading across borders, among others.

    The launch of the Mobile App was the high point of the Third Regulatory Convention organised by The Convention on Business Integrity/The Integrity Organisation in collaboration with ActionAid, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, LCCI and Business Day Newspapers.

    It was held in partnership with the Enabling Business Environment Secretariat (EBES) with the theme “Improving Transparency and Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria.”