Shettima Calls For Extension Of $750m SABER Programme, Urges States To Intensify Reforms

According to Ireporter Online, Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on state governments to intensify and fast-track business-enabling reforms under the $750 million World Bank-supported State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme, stressing that full implementation is essential for attracting investment, stimulating economic expansion, and improving citizens’ living standards.

Shettima also instructed the Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Zarah Mustapha-Audu, to initiate steps toward securing a one-year extension of the programme, allowing participating states to fully maximise its opportunities and deliver on key reform targets.

The Vice President made the appeal on Tuesday during a stakeholder engagement session on strengthening SABER implementation, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

He noted that successful execution of the programme would foster a more transparent and predictable business climate, boost both local and foreign investment inflows, strengthen private sector confidence, and reduce the cost of doing business across the country.

A statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, quoted Shettima as saying that the initiative would also enhance digital and physical infrastructure, improve land accessibility, and strengthen commercial justice systems, thereby improving the competitiveness of Nigerian states.

Shettima further stated that these outcomes would translate into higher productivity, increased economic activity, job creation, improved internally generated revenue, and better living standards for Nigerians, reiterating that effective implementation of SABER aligns with the Federal Government’s ambition of building a one trillion-dollar economy.

He urged stakeholders to actively engage in the process and take full advantage of the programme, adding that state governments play a critical role in shaping the investment climate, as many determinants of business confidence exist at the subnational level.

The Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, also called for the removal of implementation bottlenecks to ensure the programme delivers on its objectives under the Renewed Hope Agenda, expressing optimism that states would fully access the $750 million performance-based intervention structured by the World Bank and PEBEC.

Similarly, PEBEC Director-General Zarah Mustapha-Audu reaffirmed the council’s commitment to eliminating bureaucratic barriers through collaboration with public institutions, civil society, and the private sector, noting that while funding is tied to specific performance indicators, participating states are steadily progressing toward meeting the required benchmarks.