The Kwara State Government on Monday hosted a one-day town hall meeting and technical workshop aimed at deepening public understanding and collaboration on the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER), a key component of Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to improve the ease of doing business.
The session, held in Ilorin, brought together senior government officials, private sector representatives, and a delegation from the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), which is currently on a nationwide assessment tour.
Representatives from the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, artisans’ unions, and market leaders also attended the event, which sought to evaluate reform progress and collect stakeholder feedback to strengthen service delivery and regulatory efficiency.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, Kwara State Commissioner for Finance and Chair of the Ease of Doing Business Council, said the workshop was organised to assess technical progress, refine strategies, and ensure the state meets its SABER targets.
“This is about improving land administration, business registration, investment promotion, and service delivery. Through SABER, we’re looking at measurable reforms, including the digitalisation of procurement and tax systems, increased transparency, and a stronger PPP framework,” she said.
The PEBEC delegation was led by Mr. Shima Kennedy, who represented the Council’s Director-General, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu. He explained that PEBEC’s dual mandate involves removing bureaucratic bottlenecks and improving the perception of Nigeria’s business climate.
Kennedy also reiterated the Council’s intention to ensure that federal-level reforms are replicated and institutionalised at the state level.
“This annual engagement is not just an audit — it’s a feedback loop. States like Kwara are central to Nigeria’s broader reform agenda,” he noted.
Justice Ibijoke Olawoyin, Chairperson of the Judicial Committee on Small Claims Court, and other panellists discussed legal mechanisms to reduce commercial disputes and promote investor confidence.
In his remarks, Commissioner for Communications, Bola Olukoju, said the government is using social media and digital platforms to improve public feedback and transparency in policymaking.
Commissioner for Environment, Nafisat Buge, highlighted environmental safety as a critical part of investor confidence, noting that the state is improving sanitation and urban aesthetics to support commercial growth.
Mrs. Folashade Omoniyi, Chairperson of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS), briefed participants on recent changes to the tax regime. She described the federal government’s new harmonisation law as a necessary step to reduce multiple taxation and block leakages.
From the private sector, stakeholders such as the Chairman of the State Artisan Congress, Alhaji Jimoh Adesina, and the Iya Loja General of Kwara State, Hajia Muibat Olumo, praised the government’s urban renewal efforts and business-friendly policies while calling for increased support for small traders and artisans.
A panel session, moderated by PEBEC’s Kennedy, allowed participants to raise practical concerns, particularly on access to funding, regulatory clarity, and responsiveness of public institutions.
The SABER programme is part of a broader national initiative coordinated by PEBEC to institutionalise reforms across Nigerian states, focusing on measurable Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) for improved subnational competitiveness.
