FG, Lagos strategize to boost business environment, ease of doing business

By Lukman Olabiyi

Federal Government (FG) and Lagos State Government have reiterated their joint commitment to improving the ease of doing business and creating a more enabling environment for enterprises across the country.

This commitment was the central focus of a Statewide Town Hall Meeting and Technical Session on the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER), held in Lagos .

The event was organized by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) in collaboration with key stakeholders including the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Debt Management Office, and the World Bank.

Speaking at the event, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Bada-Ambrose, emphasized Lagos’ proactive approach to business reforms.

She described Lagos as a state that not only understands the importance of institutional reforms but also actively works to translate its potential into tangible prosperity.

“Reforms must be constructed upon policy clarity, infrastructure readiness, regulatory transparency, and above all, unwavering public-private cooperation,” Ambrose said.

She added that the SABER initiative provides a strategic framework to standardize and tailor ease of doing business reforms to the local context across Nigeria’s states.

She highlighted that Lagos’ implementation of SABER aligns closely with the state’s long-term development goals, including the Lagos State Industrial Policy (LSIP 2025–2030), the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Development Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, and the Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP) 2052.

The Commissioner also announced upcoming initiatives aimed at supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including the launch of the Lagos State Export Readiness Programme.

The six-week training initiative, in partnership with Afreximbank, is set to begin on July 2, 2025. Additionally, the Lagos Corporate Assembly, tagged BOS Meets With Lagos Business Community, will hold in July.

Director General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between states and the federal government in creating a business-friendly environment.

She noted that initiatives like SABER are crucial for aligning state-level policies with national reform strategies.

“The goal of PEBEC is to work with the States and ensure all hands are on deck to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to foster a conducive business environment that drives more innovation and growth,” she stated.

Princess Audu also highlighted key reform efforts at the federal level, such as reducing customs inspections to a single day and tackling issues related to multiple taxation and regulatory bottlenecks.

She called for better coordination among agencies to streamline processes and enhance efficiency for businesses operating in Nigeria.

She commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for his strategic leadership and praised Commissioner Ambrose for her energetic drive in implementing reforms.

The town hall featured panel discussions and interactive sessions focused on strengthening collaboration between government and the private sector to further improve the business climate in Lagos and beyond.