Nigeria’s drive to improve its business climate received renewed momentum on Wednesday as senior government officials and investment stakeholders converged for a high-level peer-to-peer learning workshop aimed at strengthening subnational reforms.
Speaking at the close of the two-day engagement, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), underscored the critical role of states in driving Nigeria’s economic transformation. He noted that while federal policies set the direction, real impact depends on how effectively reforms are implemented at the state level.
Represented at the event, Hadejia conveyed the commitment of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), to sustaining regulatory reforms and improving coordination across all tiers of government.
“The reality is clear Nigeria’s economic competitiveness will rise in direct proportion to the competitiveness of its states,” he said.
emphasizing that subnational governments are central to attracting and retaining investments.
The workshop, convened under PEBEC through the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme, brought together State Commissioners of Commerce, Heads of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs), and development partners. It focused on transitioning from policy discussions to practical implementation strategies that enhance investment readiness across states.
Participants explored key pillars of modern investment promotion, including developing data-driven state value propositions, improving inter-agency coordination, leveraging digital platforms for investor engagement, and strengthening investment tracking systems. There was also a strong emphasis on investor aftercare as a tool for sustaining and expanding existing investments.
Director General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, highlighted the importance of collaboration and data-driven assessment in driving reforms.
She explained that while rankings remain a useful tool, they are backed by extensive engagement with both public and private sector stakeholders.
“Data is at the heart of everything we do. It helps us understand what is working, what needs improvement, and how best to support states in delivering measurable outcomes,” she said.
Audu added that PEBEC’s ongoing nationwide engagements and digital platforms have strengthened its ability to provide real-time support to states, positioning the council as a central repository for business environment reforms and investment facilitation.
Also speaking, the Director General of the Yobe State Agency for Public-Private Partnership and Investment Promotion, Dr. Aliyu Isah Chikaji, described the workshop as a landmark initiative that allows states to learn from one another and accelerate reform efforts.
“There is no need to reinvent the wheel. What works in one state can serve as a model for others. This platform helps us cut the learning curve from years to days,” he said.
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Chikaji stressed the importance of project preparation in attracting investments, noting that states must develop bankable projects aligned with their economic priorities to effectively investors.
He revealed that Yobe State is positioning itself as a livestock investment hub, with several agreements already signed and more in the pipeline.
The workshop also saw the establishment of a Commissioners and IPA Peer Network, aimed at fostering sustained collaboration, knowledge sharing, and accountability among states.
Participants were urged to return to their respective states with renewed urgency and focus, with clear expectations to improve investment pipelines, reduce approval timelines, enhance service delivery, and implement reforms that translate into job creation and economic growth.
The event reflects the federal government’s broader reform agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, which prioritises private sector-led growth, improved regulatory frameworks, and inclusive economic development.
As deliberations concluded, stakeholders expressed optimism that strengthened collaboration between federal and state actors would accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward a more competitive and investment-friendly economy.
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