The Jigawa State Government has declared its ambition to achieve the leading position in Nigeria’s ease of doing business rankings, building on its impressive performance in 2023.
Dr. Zakkiyu Muhammad, the Secretary, and Legal Adviser of the State’s Investment Promotion Agency, revealed this on Thursday while addressing journalists during the conclusion of a three-day North-West subnational tour organised by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) in Katsina State.
Highlighting Jigawa’s strides in promoting a business-friendly environment, Dr. Muhammad emphasised the state’s commitment to leveraging digitalisation for seamless business operations.
“It is on record that Jigawa State, in terms of ease of doing business in Nigeria, was rated second last year, 2023, and we are aiming for the best this year, and this I guarantee. Wait for the results,” he stated confidently.
He further noted the comprehensive digitalisation of the state’s operations, which simplifies access to vital business information.
“Jigawa State has always been digital in terms of business transactions. Everything about investments is digital. You can name ministries such as agriculture and commerce, among others, which have their independent websites. Whatever you need regarding investments in Jigawa State, you have it on our website. If you want to pay tax, we have a unified tax payment gateway,” he explained.
Reflecting on the objectives of the PEBEC tour, Dr. Muhammad praised the initiative for fostering regional collaboration and knowledge-sharing among states in the North-West region.
“PEBEC has been very helpful. We discussed in detail the achievements of ease of doing business in our respective states and have identified areas where we need improvement,” he said.
He also lauded the opportunity for underperforming states to draw valuable lessons from their peers. “The beautiful thing about the tour was that some states that were rated very low last year can have something to learn, and so do we in Jigawa State,” Dr. Muhammad added.
Jigawa’s sustained efforts to enhance its business environment signal its commitment to fostering investment and economic growth.
The state’s focus on digital innovation and collaborative learning could serve as a model for other states striving to improve their ease of doing business rankings.
