Businesses in Nigeria may soon be spared the frustration of repeatedly submitting the same documents to different government agencies as the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has unveiled plans to create a unified digital platform that will allow Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to securely share information.

The Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja during the presentation of the council’s 2026 Mid-Term Assessment of 69 business-facing MDAs.

She said the initiative is designed to eliminate duplication, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and improve the ease of doing business by integrating the digital platforms of government institutions into a single interoperable system.

According to her, while many MDAs have embraced digitalisation in recent years, most government platforms still operate independently, compelling businesses to repeatedly upload identical information to different agencies before accessing services.

“Today, agencies are digitalising in silos. Businesses still have to provide the same information over and over again because government systems do not communicate with one another. Our objective is to build an integrated platform where information is submitted once and, with the appropriate safeguards, can be securely accessed by relevant agencies,” she said.

She noted that the reform would significantly reduce administrative delays, lower compliance costs for businesses and improve the efficiency of public service delivery, particularly for investors navigating multiple regulatory processes.

The PEBEC boss explained that the initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s broader implementation of the Business Facilitation Act, which seeks to simplify government procedures, strengthen transparency and make Nigeria a more attractive investment destination.

Presenting the findings of the council’s mid-year assessment, Audu said government agencies have recorded measurable progress in service delivery since the implementation of recommendations contained in the 2025 Business Facilitation Act Compliance Report.

She disclosed that 98 per cent of the 69 MDAs assessed now acknowledge enquiries promptly and provide services within approved timelines, representing a significant improvement in institutional responsiveness.

To ensure reforms translate into real improvements for businesses and citizens, Audu said PEBEC would continue its “mystery shopping” programme, under which officials anonymously interact with government agencies to independently assess the quality, speed and transparency of public services. (Daily Trust)

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