PEBEC Workshop Pushes States to Drive Business Reforms and Investment Growth

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria’s drive to improve its business climate received renewed momentum on Wednesday as senior government officials and investment stakeholders converged for a high-level peer-to-peer learning workshop aimed at strengthening subnational reforms.

Speaking at the close of the two-day engagement, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), underscored the critical role of states in driving Nigeria’s economic transformation. He noted that while federal policies set the direction, real impact depends on how effectively reforms are implemented at the state level.

Represented at the event, Hadejia conveyed the commitment of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), to sustaining regulatory reforms and improving coordination across all tiers of government.

“The reality is clear Nigeria’s economic competitiveness will rise in direct proportion to the competitiveness of its states,” he said.

emphasizing that subnational governments are central to attracting and retaining investments.

The workshop, convened under PEBEC through the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme, brought together State Commissioners of Commerce, Heads of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs), and development partners. It focused on transitioning from policy discussions to practical implementation strategies that enhance investment readiness across states.

Participants explored key pillars of modern investment promotion, including developing data-driven state value propositions, improving inter-agency coordination, leveraging digital platforms for investor engagement, and strengthening investment tracking systems. There was also a strong emphasis on investor aftercare as a tool for sustaining and expanding existing investments.

Director General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, highlighted the importance of collaboration and data-driven assessment in driving reforms.

She explained that while rankings remain a useful tool, they are backed by extensive engagement with both public and private sector stakeholders.

“Data is at the heart of everything we do. It helps us understand what is working, what needs improvement, and how best to support states in delivering measurable outcomes,” she said.

Audu added that PEBEC’s ongoing nationwide engagements and digital platforms have strengthened its ability to provide real-time support to states, positioning the council as a central repository for business environment reforms and investment facilitation.

Also speaking, the Director General of the Yobe State Agency for Public-Private Partnership and Investment Promotion, Dr. Aliyu Isah Chikaji, described the workshop as a landmark initiative that allows states to learn from one another and accelerate reform efforts.

“There is no need to reinvent the wheel. What works in one state can serve as a model for others. This platform helps us cut the learning curve from years to days,” he said.

Chikaji stressed the importance of project preparation in attracting investments, noting that states must develop bankable projects aligned with their economic priorities to effectively investors.

He revealed that Yobe State is positioning itself as a livestock investment hub, with several agreementsc already signed and more in the pipeline.

The workshop also saw the establishment of a Commissioners and IPA Peer Network, aimed at fostering sustained collaboration, knowledge sharing, and accountability among states.

Participants were urged to return to their respective states with renewed urgency and focus, with clear expectations to improve investment pipelines, reduce approval timelines, enhance service delivery, and implement reforms that translate into job creation and economic growth.

The event reflects the federal government’s broader reform agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, which prioritises private sector-led growth, improved regulatory frameworks, and inclusive economic development.

As deliberations concluded, stakeholders expressed optimism that strengthened collaboration between federal and state actors would accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward a more competitive and investment-friendly economy.

PEBEC Workshop Pushes States to Drive Business Reforms and Investment Growth

Suspected gang member dies after arrest in Jos, investigation underway

By: Zagazola Makama

A suspected member of a criminal gang popularly known as “Sara-Suka” has died after being arrested over an alleged stabbing incident in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Security sources said the suspect, identified as Dahiru Ali, was initially apprehended by local vigilantes at about 11:00 a.m. on April 27 at Zololo Junction for allegedly stabbing one Yusuf Garba.

The sources disclosed that the suspect was subsequently handed over to troops of Sector 1, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), for further necessary action.

According to the sources, the suspect was observed to be in a state of suspected substance abuse and intoxication at the time of his arrest.

He was later released to his family, but was reported to have died shortly after arriving at his residence.

The sources added that the deceased was buried in accordance with Islamic rites at a cemetery in Jos.

They said investigation was ongoing to determine the exact cause of death.

Suspected gang member dies after arrest in Jos, investigation underway

Troops kill scores of terrorists, destroy enclaves in Borno operations

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have sustained offensive operations against terrorist groups in Borno State, neutralising several insurgents and destroying key enclaves in coordinated ground and air assaults.

Security sources said the operations, conducted under Operation Desert Sanity V, targeted terrorist hideouts across the Bulabulin Forest and Timbuktu axes, with strong support from the Air Component Command.

According to the sources, troops of Sector 2, in conjunction with a stabilisation force brigade and elements of the Civilian Joint Task Force, cleared multiple enclaves in Mar, Subdu, Yaro Lawanti and Yaro Shuwari areas, which are contiguous to the Bulabulin Forest and the Kamadogu Yobe stretch.

The sources disclosed that troops made contact with terrorists around Malam Shiri Village, where they executed a coordinated flanking manoeuvre and engaged the insurgents in a fierce battle.

“A total of 11 terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, while others fled with injuries. Troops destroyed life-support structures within the enclaves and recovered significant quantities of arms and logistics,” the sources said.

Recovered items include nine AK-47 rifles, three PKT machine guns, five motorcycles, assorted ammunition, and materials used for the fabrication of improvised explosive devices.

In a related engagement along the Timbuktu axis on the Wajiroko–Sabon Gari corridor, troops, supported by air strikes, engaged another group of terrorists and maintained tactical superiority throughout the encounter.

Items recovered from the scene include AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenade tubes, bandoliers, communication equipment, and a large cache of ammunition.

Further operational reports indicated that troops advancing through the Bulabulin axis also engaged terrorists around Bultuwa in Yunusari Local Government Area, where six insurgents were killed and additional weapons, including AK-47 rifles, a PKT machine gun, motorcycles, ammunition, and IED-making materials, were recovered. No casualties were recorded among troops, although some vehicles sustained tyre damage during the operation.

Meanwhile, troops deployed around the Azir Bridge area came under attack late at night by terrorists using armed drones. Reinforcements moving to the location encountered an improvised explosive device, which struck a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle without causing further losses.

Air assets were subsequently deployed, with multiple precision strikes conducted on terrorist positions, forcing the attackers to retreat.

The sources confirmed that two terrorist bodies and a rifle were recovered after the engagement, while one soldier was killed in action.They added that the Air Component Command played a decisive role in the operations by providing continuous intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as precision strikes on identified targets, which significantly degraded the terrorists’ capabilities.

Troops are currently conducting follow-up exploitation operations along the Forfor, Multe and Wajiroko axes to track fleeing insurgents and prevent regrouping.

The sources said the sustained operations demonstrate increasing operational effectiveness and continued dominance by security forces across the theatre.

Troops kill scores of terrorists, destroy enclaves in Borno operations