Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, has called on state authorities, federal institutions and the private sector to step up efforts to make the country more attractive for business, insisting that sustained collaboration is vital for economic reform.
Shettima delivered the message in Abuja at the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Gala and Awards Night, an annual event recognising outstanding contributions to improving Nigeria’s business landscape.
Praising progress made this year, the Vice-President said the achievements reflected a collective commitment to reform rather than isolated efforts. “When every state, every ministry and every partner moves in the same direction, Nigeria wins,” he said.
He urged stakeholders not to treat excellence as a one-off accomplishment but as a continuous responsibility. “Excellence thrives only where it is deliberately cultivated,” Shettima told guests, adding that the coming year must bring renewed dedication to making public institutions more transparent and efficient.
Reflecting on the role of public servants, Shettima said they could not achieve meaningful results without teamwork. He argued that excellence required deliberate choices and discipline, rather than being a trait passed down effortlessly.
He applauded recipients of the night’s awards for embodying the administration’s reform agenda, noting that their work represented the foundation for Nigeria’s economic aspirations.
The Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, highlighted PEBEC’s continued reform efforts under Shettima’s leadership, which he said were gradually improving the operating environment for businesses nationwide. He cautioned, however, that much remained to be done to secure lasting change.
PEBEC’s Director-General, Princess Zahrah Audu, also presented key milestones achieved over the past year, crediting strengthened partnerships across government agencies for the improvements recorded. She said reform had become embedded in the agency’s service culture.
The evening featured the release of the 2025 Business Facilitation Act Compliance Report and the Subnational Ease of Doing Business Report. Several awards were presented in recognition of excellence in areas such as justice accessibility, legislative innovation, leadership, and business advocacy.
