FIC Report (Kwara State) – Kwara State’s efforts to improve its business environment have earned commendation from the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), which says the state is making notable progress in creating a more attractive destination for investment.
Speaking during the nationwide town hall and state engagement tour of PEBEC held in Ilorin on Friday, the council’s Reform Leader for High-Impact Investments, Mr. Prosper Ogbonnia, praised the state’s improved performance in the national subnational business environment rankings.
According to him, the rankings are intended to encourage healthy competition among states and promote continuous reforms that make it easier for businesses to operate.
“Kwara has demonstrated measurable progress in improving its business environment, although there remains room for further advancement,” Ogbonna said.
He highlighted land administration as one of the state’s strongest reform areas, noting that investors can now obtain Certificates of Occupancy within 30 days once all necessary requirements are fulfilled.
Ogbonnia also urged the state to further strengthen its one-stop investment centre to provide investors with easier access to multiple government services through a single platform.
He added that ongoing efforts to harmonise taxes and levies would help eliminate multiple charges, reduce the cost of doing business and improve revenue collection efficiency.
“These reforms enhance government efficiency while reducing the burden on businesses and citizens,” he said.
The PEBEC official explained that the council’s visit 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.
Chairman of the Kwara State Ease of Doing Business Council and Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, said the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has implemented a series of reforms designed to improve public service delivery and attract investment.
She disclosed that land administration processes have been digitised, allowing residents and investors to process and submit documentation online and receive Certificates of Occupancy within one month.
“Our reforms in land administration, tax administration, transparency and infrastructure development are making Kwara increasingly attractive to investors and enhancing the ease of doing business,” she said.
Nuru noted that the state’s tax administration system has also been digitised to improve efficiency, curb leakages and widen the tax net without imposing additional burdens on taxpayers.
She further stated that government financial records and budget information are now available online in real time, promoting greater transparency and accountability in governance.
According to the commissioner, sustained investments in road infrastructure, education and healthcare have strengthened economic growth and boosted investor confidence.
She added that improved infrastructure and an expanding portfolio of public-private partnership initiatives have contributed to growing investor interest in the state.
Other speakers at the event included Commissioner for Communications Bola Olukoju; Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development Dr. Mary Arinde; Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Malik AbdulRaheem; and Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Geographic Information Service, Sulaiman Abdulkareem.
Reported by:
Aina Y.B (ACI& PRO)
FIC, Ilorin.
