Buhari commends Nigeria’s progress in ease of doing business ranking

President Muhammadu Buhari has heartily welcomed what he observed as the phenomenal improvement of Nigeria on the World Bank’s Doing Business latest rankings released Tuesday.

A statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, in Abuja, on Tuesday, noted that besides moving up 24 places in the rankings, Nigeria is also reported by the World Bank to be among the Top 10 Reformers globally.

The President congratulated all Nigerians on this very significant step forward which symbolizes the real success achieved by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, (PEBEC), the National Assembly and State Governments in making it easy for people to register their businesses speedily, obtain licenses and approvals from government agencies without unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks.

According to President Buhari, “it also reflects our efforts to make it easy for foreign business visitors to obtain visa on arrival, pass through our airports and do their businesses with ease and speed.”

He particularly commended PEDEC chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, for a job well done, stressing that he looks forward to even greater achievements for the nation.

In a separate reaction, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also welcomed Nigeria’s improved performance.

He noted: “We are one of the top ten reforming economies in the world in 2017. After a decade-long decline in Nigeria’s rankings, last year the Government recorded a modest increase.

“This year, Mr President set us an ambitious target of moving up twenty places in the rankings – I am delighted that we have exceeded his goal.

“Improving the business environment is at the heart of the Buhari Administration’s reform agenda. We are reinforcing our economic turnaround by a vigorous and active implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) so businesses operating in Nigeria can thrive and be competitive globally.

“For the first time, coordinated efforts across various levels of governments have been undertaken to make it easier to do business in Nigeria. I commend all stakeholders who worked with us to achieve this significant result, particularly the National Assembly, Lagos and Kano State Governments, and the private sector.”

The World Bank highlighted five reforms making it easier to do business in Kano and Lagos, the two cities covered by the report in Nigeria over the course of last year.

The reforms include Starting a Business, Dealing with Construction Permits, Registering Property, Getting Credit, and Paying Taxes.