FIC Report (Nasarawa State) – Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council PEBEC in conjunction withNasarawa Enabling Business Environment Council NEBEC has organized aNationwide Subnational Engagement and Technical Reform workshop 2026 in lafia, the Nasarawa state Capital.
The Nationwide Subnational Engagement and Technical Reform workshop 2026 was held at Abdullahi Sule Investment Centre, NASIDA office, Muhamadu Bihari way, Shendam road Lafia recently.
Speaking during the event, Reform Leader, HighImpact Investmrnt PEBEC Mr. ProsperPrince Ogbonnia, commendedNasarawa state Government for improved performance in the national and subnational business environment rankings.
He added that the ongoing efforts to harmonise taxes and levies would help eliminate multiple charges, reduce the cost of doing business and improve revenue collection efficiency.
He explained that the workshop was aimed at providing technical support to business-facing Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to improve service delivery and strengthen the ease of doing business across the state.
He reiterated that PEBEC’s mandate is to promote a conducive business climate nationwide by simplifying government processes and reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Mr Prosper Prince Ogbonnia explained that,Nasarawastate has made commendable progress in areas of digital payment systems, the One Stop Shop Investment Centre, and various regulatory reforms.
Commenting on the Gaps & Recommendations: he pointed out that, Simplification of Digital Systems.
Existing unified payment and registration platforms need to be made more user-friendly and easily accessible to every day businesses and investors; just as in Perception Building, all the positive developments in Nasarawa State must be communicated internationally, as the state needs a proactive strategy to frame and promote its narrative to attract more investors.
The Reform Leader Highg Impact Investmrnt further stressed that, Investment Corridors & Trade Zones.
Investors need a full ecosystem — not just a starting point. Using agriculture (cassava) and mining (lithium) as examples, the state should develop end-to-end support systems covering infrastructure, irrigation, power, and export logistics for priority sectors.
He emphasized that, there isneed for harmonization of Levies, for all business owners especially for MSMEs to eliminate duplicate and overlapping fees and cash collections must be phased out to reduce rent-seeking, manipulation, and friction; adding that, Institutionalizing Reforms
Since Nasarawa is in a transition year, PEBEC’s key focus is ensuring that the governor’s reforms are institutionalized so they outlast any single administration.
He noted that, though Nasarawa state is among the top ten in the ease of doing business ranking, he identifies areas to close gap in Nasarawa state reform abjective to include: coordination laws, harmonization charges, simplifying compliance, improve transparency, digital system and strengthen exports.
According to him, the rankings are intended to encourage healthy competition among states and promote continuous reforms that make it easier for businesses to thrife.
“These reforms enhance government efficiency while reducing the burden on businesses and citizens,” he said.
Earlier in her opening remarks, Director General PEBEC, Dr Zara Mustapha Audu said, Investmrnt competition has shifted as Investment competition is no longer between countries, it is increasing between States, Cities and Regions.
The Director Generalexplained that PEBEC has simplify national strategy in which Federal and state government can work together to create a seemless Investmrnt landscape that would reward enterprise, promote productivity and enhanced opportunity for all Nigerians.
According to her, world bank note that, regions implementing targeted reforms, see significant gains in Investment, private sector growth and employment.
She said that, states need a strong digital footprint in compiling Investmrnt story and a Coordinated communication strategy accross traditional and digital channels.
Governor Abdullahi Sule who is the ChairmanNasarawa Enabling Business Environment Council NEBEC was represented at event byDirector General NG-CARES Nasarawa state who’s also, the Advisor on Business Reforms at the Nasarawa State Investment and Development Agency (NASIDA).
Umar Dahiru Ibrahim, who explained that Nasarawa state has been in a 7-year partnership with PEBEC to provides technical assistance and advisory support on attracting investment, improving the business climate, and removing bottlenecks for businesses.
According to him, A reform investment council under his chairmanship, has been established specifically to identify and remove obstacles that hinder business operations in the state.
He stressed that “The PEBEC team is here to engage with our businesses, SMEs, and investors. They are also meeting with business-related Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to review the reforms we have carried out as a state, and to recommend solutions to any gaps they have identified so that it can further improve our business environment and overall competitiveness.
Currently, Nasarawa State ranks number ten on the national Ease of Doing Business index. We hope to climb higher on that ladder, and we intend to utilize all the recommendations they provide to ensure a better business climate and a stronger relationship between investors and the state government as the regulatory authority.
He said that, in the Business Rankings & Digital Transformation, the state has achieved a ranking of 175 on a business ease index, and officials emphasized the growing importance of digital presence, noting that investors routinely check a state’s digital footprint, website, and online information before committing. Multiple ministries and agencies are developing digital platforms for business registration, licensing, permits, and approvals.
Compliance & Capacity Building
While business-related ministries and departments are generally cooperating, officials acknowledged areas needing improvement, particularly in building staff capacity to maintain responsive and user-friendly digital portals.
Business Community Response.
He maintained that, private sector is described as cooperative and eager for more government support, with stakeholders actively engaging in scheduled consultations to improve service delivery.
The Governor stated that, the overall report reflects an ongoing reform effort to make Nasarawa State more investor-friendly through digital tools, institutional support, and partnerships.
He expressed optimidtic that the Nationwide state tour aimed at engaging stakeholders and reviewing reforms that states have implemented, in order to provide guidance on further improvements that can be made to enhance the business environment.
Nasarawa State is a beneficiary of this initiative. The PEBEC team is here to engage with our businesses, SMEs, and investors. They are also meeting with business-related Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to review the reforms we have carried out as a state, and to recommend solutions to any gaps they have identified so that the state can further improve it’s business environment and overall competitiveness.
Governor Sule stated that, Nasarawa State ranks number ten on the national Ease of Doing Business index as it’s hope to climb higher on that ladder, and the state intend to utilize all the recommendations provided to ensure a better business climate and a stronger relationship between investors and the state government as the regulatory authority.
On his part, the Vice president, Nasarawa state Ease of Doing Business, Nasarawa Investment Development Agency, Dr Luis Machue Azige, said that Nasarawa state will work hard in ensuring thatrecommendations by PEBEC to improve the state investments is been achieved.
The Governor further said that, Nasarawa state has been receiving support in various areas from PEBEC in terms of technical support since last seven years of partnership, stressing further that digital footprint is very key as it enable easy engagement with investors anywhere in the state.
The meeting had different sessions were the PEBEC team spoke about the Strengthening, Regulatory Governance through Regulatory Impact Analysis, Understanding the Investment Lifecycle and Improving Investor Experience, Harmonization of Levies,Fees and Regulatory Charges, Access to Justice and Commercial Dispute Resolution-Small Claims Court and Multidoor House System as well as Metrics and Parameters for Subnatioal Ease of Doing Business Ranking and Introduction to the PEBEC Portal and digital Reform Tools as anchored in separately sessions by the PEBEC team Mr Shima Kennedy, Prosper Prince Ogbennia and Barr Nanfe Miner respectively.
Highlights of the event was the event was the donation/ presentation of five million, three million and two million Cheques to three private companies, John’s Multi-purpose international trading Nig Ltd, Agro dril ltd and Eggrow Africa Ltd by the state for their outstanding business partnership with the state.
MUNDUNG SOLOMON.
(E O INFORM. &PRO)
EDITED BY
ARI, LIMAN AMINU.
HEAD OF CENTRE,
FIC, LAFIA.
