Lydia Shehu Jafiya
As Nigeria intensifies efforts to enhance its business environment, the Federal Government’s $750 million States Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme-for-Results is making significant progress, with 28 states already receiving over $68 million in disbursements to drive economic reforms.
At the 2025 National Sensitization Workshop on SABER, held in Abuja, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering business-friendly reforms that will improve competitiveness, attract investments, and boost economic growth.
“We are committed to creating an enabling environment that promotes business competitiveness and attractiveness,” she stated, emphasizing that the programme is a critical tool for economic transformation.
Highlighting the programme’s impact, director information and Public Relationd Muhammed Manga in a statement quoted
Mrs. Jafiya to have revealed that 33 states and the FCT have signed the Subsidiary Loan Agreement (SLA), enabling them to access funding.
Already, 28 states have received allocations ranging from $1 million to $4 million based on prior reform results.
Despite challenges in implementing reforms, she urged state governments to stay committed, assuring continued federal support and technical assistance to ensure success.
A key focus of the SABER programme is reducing bureaucratic hurdles for businesses, particularly in land acquisition, fibre optic deployment, and investment promotion.
By simplifying government-to-business services, the initiative aims to enhance transparency, streamline regulations, and create a more predictable business environment.
The programme the statement indicated, is building on the successes of the States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) initiative, ensuring that disbursements are based on verified reform milestones assessed by an Independent Verification Agent (IVA).
Speaking at the event, Programme Leader for Equitable Growth, Finance, and Institutions at the World Bank, Bertine Kamphuis called for additional technical assistance and state-level engagements to fast-track implementation.
Meanwhile, National Programme Coordinator of SABER, Dr. Ali Mohammed explained that the programme’s $750 million budget includes both financial disbursements and capacity-building initiatives to empower state officials and implementation partners.
As discussions and technical sessions unfolded, the workshop served as a platform for state officials to engage facilitators, share experiences, and refine their reform strategies.
With Nigeria deepening economic reforms, the SABER programme remains a pivotal initiative, ensuring that state-level business reforms translate into real economic growth and investment opportunities.
The Federal Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with state governments, the World Bank, and strategic partners has remained steadfast in its mission to foster an improved business landscape that benefits all Nigerians.