Lagos Emerges as Nigeria’s Top Business Hub in 2025 PEBEC Report Amid Nationwide Reform Success

Lagos, Kaduna, and Oyo top the 2025 PEBEC report as Nigeria sees a 40% drop in business registration times through aggressive subnational reforms.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 27, 2026, 4:42 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from THISDAYLIVE

Lagos Secures Top Rank in National Business Assessment

Lagos has been officially recognized as the most competitive environment for commercial activity in Nigeria according to the 2025 Ease of Doing Business Report. Released in Abuja by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, the study places the nation’s commercial nerve center at the apex of a ten state leaderboard. This ranking was unveiled during a high level diplomatic roundtable organized in collaboration with UK International Development. According to the report, the success of Lagos is attributed to a combination of reliable infrastructure, advanced digital services, and a functional justice delivery system that includes alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

A Comprehensive Framework for State Performance

The assessment of Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory relied on a sophisticated framework consisting of 16 primary indicators. These metrics evaluate essential business dimensions such as access to electricity, land administration efficiency, and trade logistics. Each category was further analyzed through 36 operational sub indicators tied to specific administrative datasets. While Lagos led the pack, the report noted that even top performers face lingering challenges, specifically regarding land processing timelines and right of way fees. These remaining administrative bottlenecks continue to present friction for domestic and international investors alike.

Drastic Reductions in Administrative Timelines

A significant highlight of the 2025 findings is the measurable impact of sustained regulatory reforms across the top tier states. Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, the Director General of PEBEC, revealed that reform driven states have successfully slashed business registration timelines by up to 40 percent. Furthermore, these regions have posted a 30 percent improvement in the efficiency of land administration. According to Audu, these figures serve as concrete signals to the global market that the Nigerian business landscape is becoming more predictable, transparent, and competitive on an international scale.