By Ibrahim Muhammad
The Jigawa State Government has unveiled fresh reforms aimed at improving its standing in Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business ranking and attracting more investments into the state.
The commitment was reaffirmed during the 2026 Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Nationwide Sub-National Engagement and Technical Reform Workshop held in Dutse on Wednesday.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Jigawa State Ease of Doing Business Council, Engineer Aminu Usman Gumel, said the state government was dissatisfied with its performance in the most recent Ease of Doing Business assessment and was determined to address identified gaps through targeted reforms and stronger stakeholder engagement.
He explained that the workshop provided an important platform for government officials, private sector operators, development partners and regulators to deliberate on practical measures for improving the business environment and accelerating economic growth.
According to him, several reforms already implemented by the administration of Governor Umar Namadi were not adequately captured during the assessment process.
Among the reforms highlighted was the establishment of Small Claims Courts across the state’s emirate councils to provide speedy, affordable and efficient resolution of commercial disputes involving small businesses.
Gumel noted that the state has also intensified efforts in digital governance, support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), infrastructure development and public-private sector collaboration to strengthen investor confidence and create a more conducive environment for businesses.
He stressed that the private sector remains the engine of economic growth, adding that while government provides policies and infrastructure, businesses create jobs, drive innovation and expand economic opportunities.
“The experiences of investors, manufacturers, traders, farmers, service providers and entrepreneurs are critical in shaping policies that promote enterprise growth, competitiveness and sustainable economic development,” he said.
The Deputy Governor urged participants to openly discuss challenges affecting business operations and propose actionable recommendations that would guide future reforms.
In a keynote address delivered virtually, the Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between federal and state governments to create a seamless investment environment.
She observed that investors ultimately invest in states rather than countries, making sub-national competitiveness a critical factor in attracting investment and driving economic transformation.
According to her, states must identify and promote their unique competitive advantages, remove barriers to growth and improve their visibility to investors through effective digital platforms.
The workshop featured technical reform sessions and engagements with private sector stakeholders aimed at identifying regulatory bottlenecks and developing solutions to improve the state’s investment climate.
Participants expressed optimism that the engagement would help strengthen ongoing reforms and position Jigawa as a more attractive destination for investment and business growth.
