Nigeria’s Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has released a comprehensive assessment of the country’s ease‑of‑doing‑business reforms. The 2025 Business Facilitation Act (BFA) Performance and Subnational Ease of Doing Business Reports evaluated 69 federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) from January to October 2025, examining transparency, efficiency, responsiveness, service‑level agreement compliance and digital readiness.
The report shows that several key agencies fell short of national expectations. The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) ranked last with a score of just 3 percent, followed by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) at 12.7 percent despite its crucial role in digital identity and verification. Other poorly rated bodies included the Joint Tax Board, the National Bureau of Statistics, the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria and the Federal Produce Inspection Service.
In contrast, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) topped the 2025 rankings for ease of doing business. It was followed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
At the subnational level, states such as Adamawa, Bauchi and Borno lagged behind in implementing ease‑of‑doing‑business reforms, while Lagos, Kaduna and Oyo were among the top performers. PEBEC’s assessment underscores the urgent need for reforms in underperforming agencies to address persistent inconsistencies in Nigeria’s business environment. The council stresses that public‑sector reform must go beyond mere compliance, emphasizing its importance for boosting investor confidence, improving government efficiency and supporting sustainable economic growth. As Nigeria seeks to improve its business climate, the report’s findings are expected to shape policy decisions and guide efforts to enhance the country’s competitiveness.
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