Tinubu’s ease-of-doing-business reforms reach Jigawa as PEBEC deepens investment drive
The high-level engagement, held at Mtown Hotel, brought together government officials, regulators, private sector operators, development partners and investment experts to chart pathways for strengthening Nigeria’s investment climate and deepening ease-of-doing-business reforms across the states.
Speaking at the workshop, Jigawa State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Ease of Doing Business Council, Engineer Aminu Usman Gumel, described the PEBEC national tour as a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that business environment reforms championed by President Tinubu are effectively implemented at both national and sub-national levels.
According to him, the initiative provides a strategic platform for direct engagement between policymakers and business operators, enabling stakeholders to identify regulatory bottlenecks, share practical experiences and recommend reforms capable of enhancing investment attractiveness and economic growth.
“The experiences of investors, manufacturers, traders, farmers, service providers and entrepreneurs are critical in shaping policies that promote enterprise growth, competitiveness and sustainable economic development,” he said.
The Deputy Governor stressed that the private sector remains the engine room of economic growth, noting that while government provides policies and infrastructure, businesses create jobs, stimulate innovation, expand markets and generate wealth.
He identified transparent regulations, efficient public services, accessible infrastructure, security of investment, ease of obtaining permits and approvals, access to finance and effective dispute resolution mechanisms as critical factors in building a thriving business environment.
Gumel disclosed that the Jigawa State Government was determined to improve its performance in future Ease of Doing Business assessments by addressing identified gaps and strengthening stakeholder engagement.
He noted that several reforms implemented by Governor Umar Namadi’s administration were not adequately captured in previous assessments, including the establishment of Small Claims Courts across the state’s emirate councils to provide speedy and affordable resolution of commercial disputes involving small businesses.
The Deputy Governor further highlighted ongoing reforms in infrastructure development, agricultural value chain enhancement, digital governance, support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and public-private sector partnerships aimed at boosting investment and economic development.
Delivering a keynote address virtually, Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, conveyed the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the council.
She said the Tinubu administration recognises that Nigeria’s economic transformation can only be achieved when federal and state governments work in harmony to create a seamless investment landscape.
According to her, strengthening sub-national competitiveness has become imperative because investors ultimately invest in states where policies are clear, institutions are responsive and opportunities are visible.
“While investors may enter a country, they eventually invest in states. The competition for investment today is no longer only between countries; it is increasingly between states, cities and regions,” she said.
Princess Audu urged state governments to identify and promote their comparative advantages rather than attempting to market every sector simultaneously.
“The challenge is not a lack of opportunities but proper positioning. States must make deliberate choices, remove barriers to growth and consistently communicate their investment opportunities to the world,” she said.
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The PEBEC boss also underscored the growing importance of digital visibility in attracting investments, noting that many investment decisions now begin online.
She advised states to strengthen their digital footprints through effective investment portals, strategic communication plans and regular dissemination of information on reforms, infrastructure projects and business opportunities.
According to her, attracting investors is only one side of the equation, while retaining existing investors is equally important.
She noted that satisfied investors often become ambassadors who attract additional investments through expansion and referrals.
Princess Audu further warned that policy inconsistency, abrupt regulatory changes and weak institutional frameworks could undermine investor confidence and discourage investment inflows.
Earlier, Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the State Technical Committee on Ease of Doing Business, Professor Hannatu Sabo Muhammad, described the workshop as an important platform for knowledge sharing and institutional strengthening.
She expressed confidence that the engagement would generate practical insights capable of supporting the state’s reform agenda and sustaining its reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading reform-oriented states.
The technical session featured presentations by PEBEC experts on critical reform areas.
PEBEC Team Leader, Barrister Jaafar Shuaibu, delivered a paper on “Strengthening Regulatory Governance Through Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA),” stressing the importance of evidence-based policymaking and regulatory efficiency.
Dr. Rebecca Bolande Ukpevo presented a paper on “Understanding the Investment Cycle and Improving Investor Experience,” while Alhaji Ibrahim Usman discussed the harmonisation of levies, fees and regulatory charges.
Other presentations focused on access to justice and commercial dispute resolution mechanisms, including Small Claims Courts and Multi-Door Courthouse systems, as well as metrics for sub-national Ease of Doing Business rankings and PEBEC digital reform tools.
The afternoon session featured an interactive engagement between government officials and private sector stakeholders.
A panel discussion moderated by Barrister Jaafar Shuaibu brought together the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Regional Planning, Dr. Nura Ibrahim; Chairman of the Jigawa State Internal Revenue Service, Dr. Nasiru Sabo Muhammad; and Director-General of JigawaInvest, Hajiya Aisha Shehu Mujaddadi.
Business owners, investors and entrepreneurs used the forum to raise concerns on taxation, land administration, regulatory processes and access to government services, while also proposing measures to improve transparency and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks.
The workshop ended with renewed commitments by federal and state authorities to deepen reforms capable of enhancing investor confidence, improving competitiveness and positioning Jigawa as a preferred destination for business and investment.
Ardo Zubairu , OSIG(London)
Editor -In- Chief, African Journalist Media Platforms.
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