For years, one of the biggest obstacles to doing business in Nigeria has been bureaucracy, ranging from lengthy approval processes and multiple taxation to inadequate coordination among some government agencies and public service delivery institutions.
Addressing these challenges informed the establishment of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) in 2016.
A decade later, the Council has evolved from championing policy reforms to driving measurable improvements across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), with the implementation of the Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2023, standing out as one of its landmark achievements.
The Act, which underscores President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to building a one-trillion-dollar economy, amended more than 20 existing laws to reduce bureaucratic delays, promote transparency and compel government agencies to deliver services within specified timelines.
It also introduced key reforms, including the “Silence is Consent” principle, the digitalisation of government services, mandatory publication of service level agreements and improved coordination among regulatory institutions.
Under the leadership of the Director-General, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, PEBEC has intensified the implementation of these reforms through compliance monitoring, stakeholder engagement and institutional accountability.
One of the Council’s major initiatives is its annual Compliance Report, which evaluates how well Federal MDAs comply with the Business Facilitation Act. In its latest assessment, PEBEC monitored 69 Ministries, Departments and Agencies, identifying areas of progress while encouraging improvements where service standards fell short.
To independently verify the quality of government services, PEBEC introduced the Mystery Shopping Programme, through which trained assessors anonymously engage government institutions to evaluate the actual experiences of citizens and businesses. The findings provide evidence-based recommendations for improving service delivery.
The Council has also strengthened ReportGov.NG, a technology-driven platform that enables Nigerians to report delays, extortion, poor service delivery and other administrative bottlenecks. Complaints are escalated to the relevant agencies for prompt resolution, reinforcing accountability within the public service.
Beyond Abuja, PEBEC has equally expanded its engagement with state governments through the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme to promote a more conducive business environment across the country. These efforts complement broader reforms aimed at attracting investment, improving competitiveness and stimulating economic growth.
Nigeria’s performance on the global Ease of Doing Business Index also improved significantly during PEBEC’s reform years, with the country moving from 169th position in 2016 to 131st in the World Bank’s final Doing Business Report in 2020, before the ranking was discontinued.
The Council has also driven reforms in business registration, construction permits, access to credit, port operations, visa-on-arrival processes, airport procedures, land administration and transparency in government services. Collectively, these reforms have reduced transaction costs for businesses while improving Nigeria’s investment climate.
Recent interventions further demonstrate that PEBEC’s impact extends beyond businesses to everyday citizens. A recent passport renewal complaint submitted through the Council’s complaint resolution platform was promptly resolved after engagement with the relevant authorities. While only one among many interventions, the incident illustrates how effective institutional coordination can translate into efficient public service delivery.
Although challenges remain, including uneven compliance across institutions and the need for deeper digital integration, available evidence suggests that PEBEC has laid a stronger foundation for a more responsive and business-friendly public sector.
As Nigeria pursues economic diversification and seeks greater domestic and foreign investment, sustaining these reforms will require more than policies on paper. Consistent implementation, stronger accountability across public institutions and continuous engagement with the private sector will determine whether the gains recorded by PEBEC translate into lasting economic growth and improved service delivery for all Nigerians.
Ultimately, the success of PEBEC will be measured not only by the policies it introduces but by the everyday experiences of citizens and businesses interacting with government institutions.
