As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s economy and improve the ease of doing business across the country, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), in collaboration with the World Bank-supported State Action on Basic Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme, has convened a high-level Peer-to-Peer Learning Workshop for state government officials in Abuja.
The two-day workshop, which concluded in early May 2026, brought together Commissioners of Commerce, Heads of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs), reform champions and other senior government officials from across Nigeria’s states to deliberate on strategies aimed at accelerating business reforms at the subnational level.
The engagements focused on enhancing investment readiness, improving regulatory coordination and harmonising business policies across states in order to create a more transparent, efficient and investor-friendly environment capable of attracting local and foreign investments.
Officials at the event stressed that meaningful economic growth in Nigeria would require stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments, especially in the area of policy implementation and regulatory reforms.
Speaking during the workshop, Director General of PEBEC, Zahrah Mustapha Audu, described the gathering as a crucial step toward translating policy frameworks into measurable economic outcomes.
“This workshop represents a critical inflection point, moving our states from well-articulated strategies to credible, results-driven execution,” she stated.
Audu explained that while many states have already developed economic and investment strategies, the major challenge has remained effective implementation and the ability to convert policy intentions into practical reforms that directly improve the business climate.
According to her, the workshop was intentionally designed to bridge that gap through practical learning, peer engagement and the sharing of real-life experiences among states.
She emphasised that Nigeria’s economic transformation cannot be driven solely at the federal level, noting that subnational governments play a decisive role in shaping the investment environment through policies relating to taxation, land administration, licensing, infrastructure and regulatory processes.
“Nigeria’s growth must be holistic, involving both federal and sub-national efforts,” Audu added.
Participants at the workshop examined strategies for improving business registration processes, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, streamlining regulatory approvals and creating predictable investment frameworks capable of inspiring investor confidence.
The event also featured knowledge-sharing sessions where states with successful reform records presented case studies and implementation models that could be replicated by others.
Officials said the peer-learning approach was intended to encourage healthy competition among states while promoting collaboration and the exchange of innovative ideas.
The SABER programme, supported by the World Bank, is aimed at incentivising states to implement reforms that improve fiscal transparency, business regulation and investment promotion.
Analysts say the programme has become increasingly important as Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy, attract private sector investment and improve productivity amid global economic uncertainties.
Stakeholders at the workshop noted that investors often consider the ease of doing business at the state level before making investment decisions, making subnational reforms essential for economic competitiveness.
Several participants highlighted persistent challenges faced by businesses in some states, including multiple taxation, delays in obtaining permits, inconsistent regulations and poor coordination among government agencies.
According to them, addressing such issues could significantly improve Nigeria’s business environment and stimulate industrial growth, entrepreneurship and job creation.
The workshop also explored the role of digital governance and technology-driven reforms in improving efficiency and transparency within state institutions.
Experts at the event encouraged states to adopt digital platforms for business registration, permit processing and investor services in order to reduce human interference and eliminate unnecessary delays.
Some state officials who attended the workshop described the sessions as timely and practical, noting that they provided valuable insights into how reforms can be effectively implemented at the grassroots level.
They also stressed the importance of political will, continuity in policy implementation and institutional coordination in achieving sustainable reform outcomes.
Economic experts have repeatedly argued that Nigeria’s ambition to become a leading investment destination in Africa depends heavily on reforms at the subnational level, where many businesses encounter operational and regulatory challenges.
Observers believe that stronger alignment between federal reform initiatives and state-level implementation could help improve investor confidence, increase capital inflows and strengthen economic productivity.
The Abuja workshop comes amid renewed federal government efforts to improve the country’s business climate and attract greater domestic and international investment into critical sectors of the economy.
In recent years, the federal government, through PEBEC, has introduced several reforms aimed at simplifying business processes, reducing administrative burdens and improving Nigeria’s global ease of doing business rankings.
However, stakeholders have consistently maintained that sustainable progress would require all states to adopt uniform standards and investor-friendly policies capable of supporting national economic objectives.
As the workshop concluded, participants expressed optimism that the lessons learned and partnerships built during the engagements would accelerate reform implementation across states and contribute to building a more competitive Nigerian economy.
For many stakeholders, the success of Nigeria’s economic reform agenda will ultimately depend not only on policy formulation at the national level but also on the ability of state governments to translate reforms into tangible improvements that benefit businesses, investors and ordinary citizens alike.
