Keypoints
- The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has ordered all federal MDAs to suspend the introduction of new policies and regulations immediately.
- This directive remains in force until agencies achieve full compliance with the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) framework inaugurated in January 2025.
- The move aims to eliminate “policy flip-flops” and ensure that every new reform is grounded in verifiable evidence and stakeholder engagement.
- Exceptions will only be granted for matters of urgent national interest, subject to specific high-level approval.
Main Story
In a major move to stabilize Nigeria’s commercial landscape, PEBEC Director-General Princess Zahrah Mustapha-Audu announced on Monday in Abuja that the federal government is putting a temporary freeze on new regulatory changes.
The council reported that the suspension is necessary to ensure all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) align with the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) framework. This framework, which has been in effect since early 2025, requires every proposed policy to undergo a rigorous review process before it can be rolled out.
Mustapha-Audu highlighted that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has already circulated the guidelines to all relevant institutions.
She detailed that the government’s goal is not to hinder progress or embarrass institutions but to ensure that no reform proceeds without clear, evidence-based validation. It was further mentioned that the council remains committed to a collaborative approach, offering technical support through its secretariat to help MDAs transition to these more structured decision-making processes.
The Issues
The primary problem addressed by this directive is the frequency of “policy shocks” and inconsistent reversals that have historically discouraged long-term investment in Nigeria. PEBEC identified a lack of transparency and insufficient stakeholder engagement as the root causes of policy resistance and economic backlash. By mandating the RIA framework, the government seeks to solve the issue of bureaucratic constraints and ensure that the “ease of doing business” is backed by predictable and stable governance.
What’s Being Said
- “No new reform or policy will be permitted to proceed without being grounded in clear, verifiable evidence,” stated Princess Zahrah Mustapha-Audu, D-G of PEBEC.
- Mustapha-Audu noted that the directive is vital to “eliminate policy inconsistencies and frequent reversals” that affect investors and citizens.
- She added that the framework will “enhance transparency, predictability, and stakeholder confidence in public policies.”
- The Director-General emphasized that cooperation is essential to building a “business-friendly regulatory environment that supports sustainable economic growth.”
What’s Next
- MDAs are expected to immediately audit their pending policies and submit them for review under the RIA framework.
- PEBEC will provide guidance and technical support to agencies struggling to meet the new evidence-based requirements.
- Business groups and investors will likely monitor the implementation to see if the freeze effectively reduces the number of sudden regulatory changes in the coming months.
Bottom Line
By halting unverified policy rollouts, PEBEC is attempting to institutionalize a “think-before-you-act” culture within the Nigerian government, prioritizing economic stability and investor trust over rapid, uncoordinated regulation.
