Shettima seeks business environment hinged on Tinubu’s eight-point agenda

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday urged stakeholders to build a business environment that fosters innovation, creativity and productivity aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s eight point agenda.

He also implored members of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council as well as ministries, departments and agencies to prioritise the dreams of all Nigerians who aspire to grow their businesses.

“Our success is not merely a matter of policy but is measured by its impact, from the small-time trader in Kafanchan to the large corporation on Lagos Island,” Shettima said during the PEBEC Townhall Meeting held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to the Vice President’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, the meeting followed the successful completion of the 90-day Regulatory Reform Accelerator Action Plan.

The statement is titled, ‘At PEBEC town hall meeting: VP Shettima asks council, MDAs to align with President Tinubu’s 8-point agenda.’

Shettima noted that no matter the depth of the reforms introduced, the government will fail to achieve its goals unless MDAs function at their best and align seamlessly with the agenda of the Tinubu administration.

He described the PEBEC townhall meeting as a rescue mission for a country that has saddled its citizens with “the critical role of creating an environment where every idea can germinate into an enduring business.

“Today, I feel the pulse of our collective desire to make this objective a reality,” the VP added.

Shettima also urged all stakeholders, especially the MDAs, to build on the gains of the past 120 days with a sense of urgency and purpose, as they reflect on the measurable outcomes of the Regulatory Reform Accelerator.

Imploring them to continue to improve Nigeria’s business environment through timely feedback, rigorous monitoring, and shared responsibility, he said, “We are the vehicles of the promises made by His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, GCFR.”

He continued, “The Regulatory Reform Accelerator is an avenue to inject life into our economy and renew the hope of our nation.

“The quality of your ideas and the intensity of your energy today are the very sparks we need to stay on track and to always remind ourselves of the burden of expectations upon us.”

He urged the MDAs to align with the President’s vision and ensure that “our pursuit of a business environment that fosters innovation, creativity, and productivity is built upon the pillars of the 8-point agenda,” saying that achieving PEBEC’s mandate “directly contributes to our shared economic prosperity as a nation.”

Shettima also announced that PEBEC’s public sector reforms have achieved a collective score of over 80 per cent at the beginning of the 90-Day Regulatory Reform Accelerator, adding that “despite a slow start, the collective commitment and actions of every Minister, Head of Agency, Reform Champion, and BFA Committee Member have significantly increased reform implementation during the 30-Day extension.”

He described PEBEC as an enabler for the MDAs in government whose long-term success hinges on their ability to institutionalise reform capabilities, foster deep collaboration across government, and maintain a commitment to continuous improvements.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Ibrahim Hadejia, said key aspects of the PEBEC initiatives such as the New PEBEC Business Champions, 90-Day Regulatory Reform Accelerator and legislative & judicial reforms are being deployed and implemented across MDAs.

On her part, the Special Adviser to the President PEBEC and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, while responding to questions from participants in the townhall meeting, affirmed that the Tinubu administration has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring steady improvements in the country’s business environment.

She attributed the progress made so far in the reform process largely to the personal commitment, support and overall leadership of Vice President Shettima, cuting his approval for a 30-day extension of Regulatory Reform Accelerator as a milestone in the reform efforts.

Present at the event were Governor of Gombe State, Muhammad Yahaya; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; Minister of Budget & Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijanni, and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari.

Others are Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; Chairman, National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency, Brigadier Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.); representative of the SGF, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah; other permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies.