The Nigerian Government is set to enforce measurable performance targets for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as part of efforts to eliminate overlapping regulations, multiple fees and bureaucratic delays that increase the cost of doing business in the country.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, announced this at a strategic engagement with heads of agencies and senior government officials at the Federal Ministry of Finance headquarters in Abuja.
Oyedele said “Nigeria’s economic reforms must now focus on addressing the everyday challenges businesses face in dealing with government institutions,” stressing that public agencies should facilitate investment and business expansion rather than create unnecessary obstacles.
He called on agencies to operate strictly within their statutory mandates and eliminate duplicate requirements, unnecessary procedures and multiple charges imposed on businesses and applicants.
Under the proposed One Government approach, the Minister said agencies would be expected to coordinate their activities to prevent conflicting regulatory demands.
Where mandates overlap, he advocated a system of one lead agency, one process and one fee to reduce compliance costs and improve efficiency.
Oyedele also urged government agencies to consult relevant stakeholders before introducing new regulations, assess the economic implications of proposed policies and provide reasonable notice before implementing major regulatory changes.
On public finance management, the Minister directed agencies to remit government revenues promptly and in full, transfer operating surpluses to the Consolidated Revenue Fund and submit audited accounts in accordance with the law.
He said; agency performance would be assessed against measurable outcomes, including service delivery timelines, compliance with published deadlines and reductions in the cost of regulatory processes for businesses.”
The Minister acknowledged that the Ministry of Finance must also address internal bottlenecks, including delayed approvals, slow fund releases and outdated regulations, to ensure that accountability applies across government.
As part of the implementation process, the Ministry will review submissions from participating agencies and provide feedback within four to six weeks.
The draft framework will subsequently be circulated for further consultation, after which agencies will be expected to agree to measurable performance commitments subject to periodic reviews.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening accountability in public institutions, improving the delivery of government services and creating a more predictable business environment to support investment, enterprise growth and job creation.
