The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has released its 2025 Subnational Ease of Doing Business Report, ranking Lagos as the top‑performing state with a score of 85.6 percent. The report, presented by PEBEC Director‑General Mrs. Zahrah Mustapha‑Audu, evaluates the business environment in Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) across 16 indicators and 36 sub‑metrics. Kaduna follows as the second‑best performing state with a score of 65.1 percent, while Oyo, the FCT, and Ogun score 62.7 percent, 61 percent, and 59.9 percent respectively.
The report highlights that the leading states benefit from consistent reform momentum, improved digital processes, and more predictable regulatory environments—key factors driving their high rankings. It provides a comprehensive, data‑driven assessment of how Nigeria’s states and the FCT shape business competitiveness through regulation, infrastructure, and administrative efficiency. Areas identified for improvement include establishing investor after‑care systems, strengthening micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) credit enablement, and upgrading commercial justice processes.
PEBEC, established in 2016 to oversee Nigeria’s business‑environment interventions, aims to simplify business operations through reforms and policy enhancements. In addition to the Subnational Ease of Doing Business Report, the council has released its 2025 Business Facilitation Act Performance Report, which tracks compliance of federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) with the Business Facilitation Act. The top‑performing MDAs are the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (90.6 percent), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (89 percent), and the Nigeria Customs Service (86.6 percent).
Moving forward, PEBEC will continue to support state‑led reform adoption, particularly under the $750 million State Action on Business Enabling Reforms programme. The 2025 Subnational Ease of Doing Business Report provides a critical foundation for policy action, investment decisions, and long‑term competitiveness across Nigeria. The report is available for download on the PEBEC website, offering insights for investors, policymakers, and business leaders to navigate the country’s business landscape. Through these findings, PEBEC aims to promote transparency, efficiency, and competitiveness in Nigeria’s business environment.
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