FG Lists Top 10 States in Ease of Doing Business Ranking

The Federal Government has released its latest ranking of Nigerian states based on ease of doing business, naming Lagos, Kaduna, Oyo, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ogun, Enugu, Plateau, Ekiti, Kano and Nasarawa as the top performers.

The ranking is outlined in the 2025 Subnational Ease of Doing Business Report. According to the report, states that implemented targeted reforms recorded up to a 40 per cent reduction in business registration timelines, more than 30 per cent improvement in land administration processes, and measurable gains in digital service delivery and dispute resolution systems.

Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, presented the findings during a roundtable with diplomats and development partners in Abuja. She said the results reflect tangible outcomes from ongoing reform efforts across the country.

She noted that the improvements signal growing predictability, transparency and competitiveness in Nigeria’s business environment, factors considered critical by investors.

The roundtable, organised in partnership with the British High Commission and UKAID, focused on linking investment capital to high-performing states. Audu, however, stressed that beyond recorded progress, the priority remains ensuring reforms translate into practical benefits for businesses.

She highlighted three key areas of focus for PEBEC: strengthening regulatory coordination to ensure clarity and consistency, improving service delivery through platforms like ReportGov for real-time feedback, and deepening reforms at the state level where most business activities occur.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, said Nigeria’s goal of building a $1 trillion economy depends significantly on state-level performance and private sector participation. He pointed out that Nigeria’s federal structure gives states considerable autonomy, including control over contracts and judicial processes, making them central to investment attraction.

Bagudu added that competition among states, supported by reform programmes and international development partners, has driven improvements in economic performance.

In a goodwill message, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Bada, said the state’s ranking reflects deliberate and sustained policy reforms. She attributed Lagos’ performance to institutional discipline, long-term planning and a stable policy environment.

According to her, Lagos contributes over 30 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product and accounts for more than 60 per cent of commercial and industrial activities nationwide. She added that ongoing reforms in land administration, tax systems and construction permits have reduced delays and improved transparency, with low-risk permits now processed within 15 working days.

Bada also pointed to investments in infrastructure, including fibre-optic networks, transport and logistics systems, as key drivers of economic growth. She said the state’s public-private partnership framework has been structured to meet international standards, offering predictable processes and balanced risk-sharing for investors.

She emphasised that Nigeria’s investment potential extends beyond individual states, noting that collaboration among reform-focused states is helping to create a more consistent business environment. Efforts to harmonise regulations, supported by PEBEC and the Nigerian Governors Forum, are expected to further improve investor confidence nationwide.