GRBusiness
PEBEC recognises MDAs, private sector supporters for improving business climate
BY: Sandra Ani
The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), the Council responsible for driving reforms to make Nigeria a progressively easier place to do business, has held the second Annual PEBEC Awards in Abuja, Nigeria.
Themed “Recognising the Gold in our Green”, the event took place on Wednesday, April 3rd 2019 at the State House Banquet Hall and was hosted by PEBEC, with Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of Nigeria and PEBEC Chair; Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and PEBEC Vice-Chair; as well as Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment and PEBEC Secretary in attendance.
The Awards ceremony recognised MDAs and subnationals that implemented impactful and landmark reforms in 2018; as well as key members of the private sector who particularly contributed to driving PEBEC’s overall reform initiatives. Several state Governors, members of the Federal Executive Council, PEBEC members, heads of agencies, Honourable Commissioners, members of the diplomatic corps, CEOs, captains of industry, public and private sector investors, and SMEs were also in attendance.
The Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA) clinched the first recognition of the evening, the Executive Order 001 (EO1) Award for the highest transparency and efficiency compliance score on EO1. The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) was also honoured with the Reportgov.ng Award, which recognised the MDA with the strongest performance on the platform which enables citizens lodge complaints and provide feedback to the government; while the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) received the Most Improved MDA Award for the highest overall performance improvement in 2018 under the home-grown reform indicators category.
In the “World Bank 2018 Subnational Ranking Award” category which considers how well state government laws and regulations are designed for efficiency, transparency, accessibility, enforceability in courts and easy implementation, Kaduna, Enugu, Lagos, Abia and Anambra were recognised as the top five most reformed states in Nigeria for advancing the most towards the frontier of global good practices.
Speaking at the occasion, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo commended the Hon. Minister of Industry Trade and Investment Dr. Okey Enelamah for his focused and forthright leadership, and also the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry Trade and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole and her team for their tireless efforts in ensuring the implementation of the ease of doing business reforms in the country.
His Excellency stated, “In the past three years of inaugurating PEBEC, Nigeria has implemented more than 140 reforms to make doing business in Nigeria easier and improve overall competitiveness in line with a key strategic objective of the Economic Recovery & Growth Plan (ERGP). It is a pleasure to celebrate the phenomenal successes of the PEBEC reforms, but more importantly to recognise specially some of those who made it all possible – our incredibly selfless and committed private sector partners and the sterling performance of many in the public sector.
While giving the welcome speech, PEBEC Secretary and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole reiterated that the Council will continue to work in strong collaboration with key stakeholders in order to create a more conducive environment where small and big businesses are able to do business effectively and with ease.
Other recognition awards of the night included the Integrity Award, won by Mr Omotayo Omoniyi for his demonstration of diligence and integrity. Awardees in other categories such as Legislative Support, Technical Support, and Capacity Building Support included the NBA-SBL, NASSBER, NESG, NSE, the World Bank Group, DFID Nigeria, Financial Derivatives Company, Aelex Legal Arbitrators & Solicitors, Crowncourt Attorneys, Oando Energy Resources and First Bank of Nigeria.
Banwo and Ighodalo, KPMG Nigeria, P&G Nigeria, Deloitte Nigeria and Aluko and Oyebode were also honoured in the award category of Sustained Implementation Support, which recognised private sector supporters of the FG’s ease of doing business intervention through the provision of direct technical support to the Enabling Business Environment Secretariat over an extended period of time.
PEBEC was established in 2016 to oversee Nigeria’s business climate reform agenda. PEBEC’s model aligns with global best practice and includes a strong performance tracking element that is measured by the World Bank Doing Business Index (DBI), which is reported annually.
The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), the Council responsible for driving enabling business environment reforms across all arms of government to make Nigeria a progressively easier place to do business, has held the second Annual PEBEC Awards in Abuja, Nigeria.
Themed “Recognising the Gold in our Green”, the event took place on Wednesday, April 3rd 2019 at the State House Banquet Hall and was hosted by PEBEC, with Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of Nigeria and PEBEC Chair; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and PEBEC Vice-Chair, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah; as well as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment and PEBEC Secretary, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, in attendance.
The Awards ceremony recognised MDAs and subnationals that implemented impactful and landmark reforms in 2018; as well as key members of the private sector who particularly contributed to driving PEBEC’s overall reform initiatives. Several state Governors, members of the Federal Executive Council, PEBEC members, heads of agencies, Honourable Commissioners, members of the diplomatic corps, CEOs, captains of industry, public and private sector investors, and SMEs were also in attendance.
The Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA) clinched the first recognition of the evening, the Executive Order 001 (EO1) Award for the highest transparency and efficiency compliance score on EO1.
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) was also honoured with the Reportgov.ng Award, which recognised the MDA with the strongest performance on the platform which enables citizens lodge complaints and provide feedback to the government; while the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) received the Most Improved MDA Award for the highest overall performance improvement in 2018 under the home-grown reform indicators category.
In the “World Bank 2018 Subnational Ranking Award” category which considers how well state government laws and regulations are designed for efficiency, transparency, accessibility, enforceability in courts and easy implementation, Kaduna, Enugu, Lagos, Abia and Anambra were recognised as the top five most reformed states in Nigeria for advancing the most towards the frontier of global good practices.
Speaking at the occasion, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo commended the Hon. Minister of Industry Trade and Investment Dr. Okey Enelamah for his focused and forthright leadership, and also the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry Trade and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole and her team for their tireless efforts in ensuring the implementation of the ease of doing business reforms in the country.
His Excellency stated, “In the past three years of inaugurating PEBEC, Nigeria has implemented more than 140 reforms to make doing business in Nigeria easier and improve overall competitiveness in line with a key strategic objective of the Economic Recovery & Growth Plan (ERGP). It is a pleasure to celebrate the phenomenal successes of the PEBEC reforms, but more importantly to recognise specially some of those who made it all possible – our incredibly selfless and committed private sector partners and the sterling performance of many in the public sector.
While giving the welcome speech, PEBEC Secretary and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole reiterated that the Council will continue to work in strong collaboration with key stakeholders in order to create a more conducive environment where small and big businesses are able to do business effectively and with ease.
Other recognition awards of the night included the Integrity Award, won by Mr Omotayo Omoniyi for his demonstration of diligence and integrity. Awardees in other categories such as Legislative Support, Technical Support, and Capacity Building Support included the NBA-SBL, NASSBER, NESG, NSE, the World Bank Group, DFID Nigeria, Financial Derivatives Company, Aelex Legal Arbitrators & Solicitors, Crowncourt Attorneys, Oando Energy Resources and First Bank of Nigeria.
Banwo and Ighodalo, KPMG Nigeria, P&G Nigeria, Deloitte Nigeria and Aluko and Oyebode were also honoured in the award category of Sustained Implementation Support, which recognised private sector supporters of the FG’s ease of doing business intervention through the provision of direct technical support to the Enabling Business Environment Secretariat over an extended period of time.
PEBEC was established in 2016 to oversee Nigeria’s business climate reform agenda. PEBEC’s model aligns with global best practice and includes a strong performance tracking element that is measured by the World Bank Doing Business Index (DBI), which is reported annually.
The International Monetary Fund has urged Nigeria to revise its ₦54.99 trillion 2025 budget downward in response to weakening oil revenues.
It also recommends continued tight monetary policy and high interest rates until inflation further slows.
These suggestions may appear sound within orthodox economic models, but for most Nigerians, they are a recipe for deeper suffering.
Yes, inflation has decelerated—from an average of 31% in 2024 to 22.97% by May 2025. But that improvement hasn’t reached the dinner table.
Food prices remain brutal. Over 33% of Nigerians are officially unemployed, and more than 130 million people live in multidimensional poverty.
Behind every number is a family skipping meals, a child pulled out of school, or a shopkeeper forced to shutter their store.
One of the most damaging constraints in today’s economy isn’t the lack of money—it’s the inability to access it. Most banks avoid lending to those who need credit most.
When they do, they slap on interest rates of 27% to 30% and demand collateral far exceeding the value of the loan. It’s a system that locks out the very people who could drive recovery.
Credit is the oxygen of an economy. Without it, farmers don’t plant, factories sit idle, and markets shrink.
Former U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke—an expert on financial crises—once observed that the core problem isn’t always overspending, but when capable people can’t borrow. Nigeria is falling squarely into that trap.
There is a way out. By reallocating just 3% of the national budget—₦1.65 trillion—the government could establish a national loan guarantee fund.
This fund would cover the first ₦10 million in loan risk per borrower, giving commercial banks the confidence to extend credit to those who actually produce.
With an average loan size of ₦1 million, such a move could unlock financing for 1.65 million small-scale farmers, cooperatives, and traders. Even if just two-thirds of those efforts succeed, that’s over a million new jobs.
The revenue return is clear. Increased employment expands the tax base. New businesses generate more goods, services, and local demand. Social safety nets face less pressure. That ₦1.65 trillion doesn’t vanish—it circulates, stimulates, and ultimately strengthens the economy.
Meanwhile, the IMF’s warning about Nigeria’s fiscal deficit possibly rising from 4.1% to 4.7% of GDP amounts to a difference of roughly ₦660 billion. That figure is modest compared to the trillions lost annually to inefficiencies and leakages.
It’s also less than what a single thriving sector—such as agriculture, construction, or telecoms—can contribute if properly enabled.
If austerity deepens poverty and chokes productivity, then even those advocating restraint today will soon label the country “unstable” tomorrow. But the burden won’t fall on spreadsheets. It will fall on people.
Nigeria doesn’t need to blindly follow rigid templates drawn up in distant boardrooms. It needs a tailored approach that empowers its own citizens.
The economy cannot grow if credit is frozen. The people cannot thrive without opportunity. And the nation cannot progress on fiscal neatness alone.
We don’t need applause from global observers. We need access—for those ready to build, employ, feed, and innovate. Let’s open the gates, not seal them.
Abidemi Adebamiwa is the Managing Editor @ Newspot Nigeria
Transport
Enugu Air, CNG Buses, Transport Terminals Take off in May
… Govt set to develop tourist sites, reports SANDRA ANI
… Work starts on Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Awgu Games Village in earnest
The Enugu Air, CNG Mass Transit Programme, and the ultramodern transport terminals all built from scratch by the Governor Peter Administration are to be launched for operation before the second anniversary of the government.
The government has also approved the development of the state’s tourism industry, while total transformation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and Awgu Games Village will start in June to get them ready for the National Sports Festival to be hosted by the state in 2026.
These were made known by the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozor; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke; Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Gerald Otiji; and Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu after the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Enugu, at the weekend.
Briefing Government House Correspondents, Ozor said, “We are starting off with the initial three aircraft and two of the aircraft are already on ground. The third one will be on ground by the end of this month. We are hoping to start the commercial operations before the second year anniversary of this administration.
“You have also seen buses for the mass transit programme across the state. 50 of them are already parked at Okpara Square, and an additional 50 will be joining that fleet in the next few weeks. The 100 of them will be going into commercial operations before the end of this month, which is the second year anniversary.
“Also, the bus terminals, two at Holy Ghost, one each at Gariki, Abakpa and Nsukka, will also be commissioned and go into commercial operations before the 29th of May, this year.”
He added that the government planned to bring in the electric and CNG automotive manufacturing plant into Enugu as well as launch in the next 150 days the Enugu Smart Transport Programme, which would see to the injection of over 2,000 electric vehicles.
Also briefing newsmen, Dame Madueke said funds would be invested in the tourism industry in phases.
“We are going to have it in phases. For the first phase, we are having Awhum Waterfall, Nsude Pyramid where we are going to have the first canopy walkway in the South East. It measures about 600 metres, which will actually be the longest in Nigeria.
“We also have Ngwo Pine Forest where we are having the first zipline in Nigeria. The zipline will measure about 300 metres. In the same Ngwo, we will have a big rotunda and a smaller rotunda. We have the Cross of Hope to be located at Okpatu. The Cross of Hope will be sitting 580 metres above sea level and the cross itself will measure about 50 metres, making it a total of about 630 metres above sea level. The cross will have about 15 floors with a lift.
“At Awhum Waterfalls, we are going to have another canopy walkway and a boardwalk to preserve the ecosystem.
“We equally have the Akwuke/Atakkwu Waterpark and Ovu Lake Golf and Resort at Akpawfu,” she stated.
She explained that all the tourist sites would have experience centres, food courts and renewable energy, adding that tour buses would soon arrive to ensure ease of movement of tourists.
Ahead of the 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival, Enugu 2026, Barr. Ekweremadu said the State Executive Council had equally directed the commencement of work both at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and Awgu Games Village not later than June.
“We also briefed the council on the progress made in establishing a Lab for Animation for young people in Enugu State, which His Excellency will be commissioning soon. The lab is ready.
“We are similarly working towards empowering over 2,100 young people across the state, who were trained around December last year. This empowerment will be coming up on the 12th of August, being the International Youth Day’” Ekweremadu concluded.
Energy
NNPC, Dangote Strengthen Strategic Partnership
Bot partners reaffirmed commitment to Healthy Competition Towards National Prosperity, reports SANDRA ANI
As part of ongoing efforts to promote mutually beneficial partnerships and foster healthy competition, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals (DPRP) have pledged to deepen collaboration aimed at ensuring Nigeria’s energy security and advancing shared prosperity for Nigerians.
This commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Mr. Aliko Dangote, and his delegation to the Group CEO of NNPC Ltd., Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, and members of the company’s Senior Management Team at the NNPC Towers, on Thursday.
During the visit, Dangote pledged to collaborate with the new NNPC Management to ensure energy security for Nigeria.
“There is no competition between us, we are not here to compete with NNPC Ltd. NNPC is part and parcel of our business and we are also part of NNPC. This is an era of co-operation between the two organizations.” Dangote added.
While congratulating the GCEO and the Senior Management Team on their “well-deserved appointments,” Dangote acknowledged the enormity of the responsibility ahead, noting that the GCEO is shouldering a monumental task, which he expressed confidence that, with the capable hands at his disposal in NNPC, the task is surmountable.
In his remarks, the GCEO, Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari assured Dangote of a mutually beneficial partnership anchored on healthy competition and productive collaboration.
Ojulari highlighted the exceptional caliber of talent he met in NNPC Ltd., describing the workforce as a dedicated, highly skilled and hardworking professionals who are consistently keen on delivering value for Nigeria.
Expressing the company’s readiness to build a legacy of national prosperity through innovation and shared purpose, Ojulari said NNPC will sustain its collaboration with the Dangote Group especially where there is commercial advantage for Nigeria.
Both executives also committed to being the relationship managers for their respective organisations through sustained productive collaboration and healthy competition, thereby envisioning limitless opportunities for both organizations.
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