By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

The Borno State
Government under the leadership of Governor Babagana Zulum has commended the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) for organising a nationwide Subnational Engagement and Technical Reform Workshop, which aims to provide an enabling environment in the post-insurgency era across the 27 local government areas in the state.

This was disclosed by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Umar Kadafur, who is also the Chairman of the State Ease of Doing Business Council in the state, while declaring the programme open on Monday at Borno State Geographic Information Service (BOGIS) Conference Hall in Maiduguri.

Represented by the Chief Investment Adviser to the Borno Governor and Chairman, Borno State Investment Promotion Agency (Borno-Invest), Dr. Sa’id Alkali Kori, the gathering marks another milestone in their collective journey to make Borno State not just a post‑conflict recovery story, but a model of regulatory efficiency and investment attractiveness.

He added that, since the inception of PEBEC, as initiated by President Bola Ahelmed Tinubu in his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, the state government keyed into the project by domesticating key reforms, including the full implementation of the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) in collaboration with the World Bank, and the operationalisation of the Business Enabling Reforms Action Plan (BERAP).

“The presence of PEBEC and the SABER project here in Maiduguri underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to subnational business enabling reforms – and Borno is proud to be at the forefront.

“We have made significant progress. Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, and with the active support of our stakeholders, we have domesticated key reforms, including the full implementation of the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) in collaboration with the World Bank, and the operationalisation of the Business Enabling Reforms Action Plan (BERAP).

“Our goal is simple: to reduce the cost and time of doing business, to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, and to provide a seamless, transparent, and predictable regulatory environment for every investor”. Kadafur said.

As Chairman of Borno-Invest, the Deputy Governor assured that the Agency stands ready to work hand‑in‑hand with PEBEC, the SABER project, and all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to harmonise fees, simplify regulations, and improve the investor experience from entry to exit.

“Today’s town‑hall is not a talk shop. It is an action forum. We expect candid conversations, practical recommendations, and firm commitments. To our private sector colleagues: your voice is critical. Tell us where the obstacles remain. Tell us what works and what does not. We are listening.

“I thank the Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu and the entire PEBEC team for choosing Borno State as a key destination for this nationwide tour. I also thank the Borno State Geographic Information Service (BOGIS) for hosting us”. He added.

Kadafur used the opportunity and enjoined participants to utilise the engagement hours productively, so as to leave with a clearer roadmap for an even more business‑friendly environment in Borno.

Earlier in her remarks, the DG PEBEC, Princess Audu said, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) was established in July 2016 by
the Federal Government of Nigeria, purposely to serve as the nation’s foremost institutional platform for
driving business environment reforms and strengthening investor confidence across the
Federation.

“PEBEC was created with the strategic mandate to eliminate bureaucratic and legislative impediments to enterprise, improve regulatory efficiency, and position Nigeria as a globally competitive destination for investment, innovation, and economic growth”.

On the objectives of the project, the DG explained that PEBEC, the Nationwide Subnational Stakeholder Engagement and Reform Tour across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory in 2026, is designed to deepen state-level
ownership of business climate reforms, strengthen public-private collaboration, and accelerate the implementation of policies that foster enterprise development, investment attraction, and inclusive economic growth.

Speaking on the significance of PEBEC, the Chairman of Borno Chambers of Commerce, Alhaji Ahmed Ashemi, said the project has positively impacted the socio-economic development of the people, especially business entrepreneurs, as the government has reduced the rate of levies charged on goods and services in the state.

The event attracted business moguls, including those engaged in Medium and Small Businesses across the state, where they underwent various technical sessions geared towards strengthening regulatory governance through Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA), understanding the Investment lifestyle and harmonisation of levies and charges among other variables.