FG Announces Top 10 Nigerian States For Business-Friendly Environment

The Federal Government has unveiled the top 10 performing states in Nigeria for ease of doing business, with Lagos, Kaduna, Oyo, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ogun, Enugu, Plateau, Ekiti, Kano, and Nasarawa leading the ranking. The list is part of the 2025 Subnational Ease of Doing Business Report, which highlights significant improvements in business registration, land administration, digital service delivery, and dispute resolution across reform-focused states.

According to Ireporter Online, the report indicates that states implementing reforms have achieved up to a 40% reduction in business registration timelines, over a 30% improvement in land administration efficiency, and notable advances in digital service delivery. Speaking at a roundtable with members of the diplomatic community and strategic partners in Abuja, the Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, emphasized that the results reflect measurable outcomes of sustained reforms.

“These achievements are not abstract metrics; they signal to investors that Nigeria is becoming more predictable, transparent, and competitive,” Audu said. The event, organized in collaboration with the British High Commission, UKAID, and other partners, focused on connecting investment capital to the nation’s top-performing states.

Audu highlighted that while progress has been significant, translating reforms into practical results for investors remains a key challenge. She noted that PEBEC is concentrating on improving regulatory quality, enhancing service delivery through platforms like ReportGov, and deepening reforms at the state level where most business activities occur.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, stressed that Nigeria’s goal of building a $1 trillion economy depends heavily on state actions and private sector engagement. He explained that the federal structure grants states and local governments authority to enter contracts and operate courts, making their role critical in attracting investment and driving growth. Bagudu added that competition among states, supported by reforms and development programs backed by institutions such as the World Bank, has improved economic performance nationwide.

Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Bada, representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the state’s top position results from deliberate reforms and consistent policy implementation. She noted that Lagos contributes over 30% of Nigeria’s GDP and accounts for more than 60% of commercial and industrial activity.

Bada highlighted that reforms in land administration, construction permits, and taxation have increased transparency and efficiency, with low-risk construction permits now processed within 15 working days. She emphasized the state’s investments in infrastructure, digital networks, transport, and logistics as key factors in attracting investors. Bada also underlined Lagos’ public-private partnership framework, designed to meet international standards and ensure predictable processes for investors.

She concluded that Nigeria’s investment potential extends beyond individual states, with collaboration among reform-driven states helping to create a more consistent and attractive business environment. Efforts by PEBEC and the Nigerian Governors Forum to harmonize regulations are expected to reduce fragmentation and enhance investor confidence nationwide.