FG disburses $68.36m to 28 states for business reforms

FG Disburses $68.36 Million to 28 States Under SABER Programme

The Federal Government has distributed $68.36 million to 28 states as part of the States Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme, a $750 million World Bank-supported initiative aimed at enhancing the ease of doing business across Nigeria.

Progress of SABER and State Participation

Speaking at the 2025 National Sensitisation Workshop on SABER in Abuja, Lydia Jafiya, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, outlined the progress made under the program. She revealed that 33 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had signed the Subsidiary Loan Agreement, with 28 of them already receiving disbursements ranging between $1 million and $4 million, based on Prior Results Disbursements.

According to Jafiya, these funds are intended to support states in implementing critical reforms that improve business competitiveness, regulatory efficiency, and investment attraction. She emphasized that the initiative is a key step toward creating a more business-friendly landscape across Nigeria.

Despite initial setbacks, Jafiya commended state governments for their commitment to the program’s goals, urging them to stay focused on meeting their reform targets. She also disclosed that an Independent Verification Firm had been engaged to assess state performance for 2023 and 2024, ensuring accountability and the effective implementation of the program’s objectives.

Key Achievements and Business-Government Relations

Jafiya highlighted that lessons from past initiatives, particularly the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme, had significantly strengthened relations between businesses and government institutions. She noted that states had optimized land acquisition processes, enhanced grievance redress mechanisms for businesses, and improved regulatory transparency.

Beyond these achievements, the SABER Programme has also driven significant progress in:

• Strengthening public-private partnership (PPP) frameworks
• Reducing costs associated with fiber optic deployment for businesses
• Increasing efficiency in regulatory oversight across various sectors

The Federal Government is optimistic that these reforms will position Nigerian states as more attractive destinations for both local and foreign investment.

Role of Key Stakeholders and Call for Increased Engagement

Expressing appreciation for the World Bank’s continued support, Jafiya acknowledged the vital contributions of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and the Debt Management Office (DMO) in ensuring the success of SABER.

She called on state officials and SABER focal persons to take full advantage of technical assistance, actively engage in discussions, and work toward maximizing the program’s benefits. Furthermore, she underscored the need for better communication regarding SABER’s impact, urging states to engage the business community and investors by clearly articulating the ongoing reforms and their long-term benefits.

Declaring the workshop open, Jafiya reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering a competitive business environment, strengthening institutional capacity at the state level, and positioning Nigeria as a prime investment destination.

Ensuring Accountability and Long-Term Growth

Also addressing the workshop, Dr. Ali Mohammed, Director of the Home Finance Department and National Programme Coordinator for SABER, emphasized the importance of incentivizing states to implement essential business reforms. He stated that all disbursements under the program would be based on annual independent verifications, ensuring that states meet their reform milestones before receiving funds.

Mohammed outlined SABER’s core areas of focus, which include:

• Enhancing efficiency in land administration
• Improving regulatory structures for private-sector-led fiber optic deployment
• Strengthening investment promotion agencies and PPP units

These measures, he explained, are designed to boost transparency in government-to-business interactions while creating a more investment-friendly climate across Nigeria.

He further stressed that SABER aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes economic development, job creation, and improved investment opportunities. The government is confident that by enhancing business conditions at the state level, Nigeria will achieve sustainable economic growth, benefiting both local entrepreneurs and international investors.

Workshop Insights and Future Expectations

The workshop provided a platform for state officials to exchange ideas and explore effective strategies for implementing the program’s objectives. Participants discussed the challenges associated with executing reforms and identified practical solutions to improve regulatory efficiency and business operations across states.

As the SABER Programme continues to unfold, the government remains confident that these reforms will fuel long-term economic expansion, positioning Nigeria as a leading hub for business and investment on the global stage.