The Nigeria business competitiveness landscape has seen a significant update with the release of the 2025 Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Reports by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC). These reports provide an in-depth evaluation of Nigeria’s states and Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), focusing on institutional efficiency and business facilitation.
Subnational EoDB Report: Strengthening Local Competitiveness
PEBEC’s Subnational EoDB Report highlights the performance of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in fostering a competitive business climate. The report evaluates performance across 16 key indicators and 36 sub-metrics, including electricity, land administration, digital connectivity, trade logistics, and investor support.
Leading states in the report, such as Kaduna (65.1%), Oyo (62.7%), and the FCT (61%), stand out for their continuous reform momentum and improved regulatory systems. These states have successfully implemented better digital processes and predictable business environments, making them attractive for investment.
Priority Interventions for States
The 2025 report also identifies five key interventions that states need to prioritize:
- Establishing formal investor aftercare systems.
- Strengthening credit enablement frameworks for MSMEs.
- Harmonizing inter-state trade rules.
- Upgrading commercial justice processes.
- Improving power supply reliability for industrial clusters.
PEBEC’s Director-General, Mrs. Zahrah Mustapha-Audu, emphasized that these reforms are essential for long-term competitiveness and will support Nigeria’s investment growth.
MDAs Performance: Business Facilitation Act Report
Alongside the Subnational Report, PEBEC released its Business Facilitation Act (BFA) Performance Report, evaluating the compliance of 69 priority MDAs in service delivery. The top performers in the MDAs category included:
- Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) – 90.6%
- National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) – 89.0%
- Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) – 86.6%
These MDAs were recognized for their efficiency, transparency, and commitment to improving business facilitation across the country.
PEBEC’s Commitment to Reforms
PEBEC continues to lead the charge in transforming Nigeria’s business environment, with initiatives like the $750 million State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) program supporting state-led reforms. The 2025 reports lay a strong foundation for policy action, long-term investment decisions, and boosting Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
This critical analysis provides a roadmap for business and investment growth, ensuring Nigeria’s progress in improving ease of doing business and fostering a competitive economy.
