FIC Report (Taraba State) – In a major stride toward optimizing the local business environment and driving investment influx, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), successfully hosted its Nationwide Subnational Engagement and Technical Reform Workshop on Friday, June 5, 2026.
The high-level event, which featured an intensive technical session and a collaborative town hall meeting, took place at the Crest Resort in Jalingo, Taraba State.
The workshop brought together key state actors, legal representatives, financial experts, and economic policymakers to deliberate on “Business-Enabling Reforms and Investment Competitiveness.”
The workshop commenced with opening remarks from the Chairman of the State Ease of Doing Business Council and Commissioner for Commerce and Investment,Peter George setting a collaborative tone for the day.
Peter George reaffirmed the state’s absolute readiness to partner with private investors. He reiterated that the administration remains fully committed to implementing policies that guarantee a thriving environment for businesses.
Delivering the strategic vision, the Director General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, provided a comprehensive overview of PEBEC’s core mandate to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks across all tiers of government.
Represented by the PEBEC’s Team Lead, Aimeya Okpebholo, the DG outlined the critical criteria used to evaluate states for investment opportunities and business reform interventions, emphasizing vital infrastructure such as security, power, and potable water among other indicators.
During the sessions, key officials from the Taraba State Government highlighted ongoing domestic reforms designed to build investor confidence and foster sustainable economic growth. The Board Member of the Taraba State Internal Revenue Service, Theophilus Japheth, revealed that the state is actively promoting strong institutional harmony in revenue collection.He explained that the coordinated revenue administration aims to eradicate multiple taxation, improve efficiency, and enhance transparency.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Isa Muhammad Hamza, disclosed that the state government has successfully digitalized land administration processes through the Taraba Geographic Information System (TAGIS), making land data and services seamless for prospective investors.
The Public Finance Manager and PFM Reform Consultant from the Ministry of Finance announced the establishment of a new online platform designed to improve public access to state services and ease stakeholder consultations.
The core of the workshop featured eight intensive modules led by the PEBEC Technical Team, focusing on modernizing administrative, fiscal, and legal frameworks
In his presentation,PEBEC Reform Leader, Solomon Ukut, delivered a vital presentation on Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA). He explained how the RIA framework ensures that government policies are efficient, evidence-based, and accountable, thereby protecting businesses from adverse regulatory effects.
The PEBEC team introduced the “One Government Approach,” championing One-Stop Shops to streamline public interface and eliminate institutional duplication.
The workshop also highlighted issues regarding judicial reforms legal bottlenecks. During the session, a joint presentation by the PEBEC Team and Judiciary Representatives focused on “Access to Justice and Commercial Dispute Resolution,” highlighting the introduction of Small Claims Courts and Multidoor Court House Systems to fast-track commercial disputes.
As the workshop drew to a close, the PEBEC team detailed the metrics and parameters used for the Subnational Ease of Doing Business Rankings, a framework designed to foster healthy economic competition among Nigeria’s 36 states. The final modules mapped out sustainability structures to ensure these institutional reforms withstand political transitions.
Participants at the session highly commended the initiatives, describing them as strategic milestones toward transforming Taraba State into a prime investment hub.
Following an interactive Q&A session, closing remarks were delivered by the State Reform Champion. The historic day concluded with an official group photograph, followed by an exclusive, high-level courtesy visit by the PEBEC Technical Team and state officials to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Taraba State, to solidify executive backing for the newly adopted reform roadmaps.
Jibrin Hussaini
HoC Federal Information Centre,Jalingo Taraba State.
