Prosper Okoye
The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has ordered all government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to hit pause on introducing new policies or regulations that could disrupt businesses and investments.
The move, announced on PEBEC’s X account on Monday, will stay in effect until every government agency follows a set of rules called the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) Framework. This framework, introduced in January 2025, ensures that new policies are backed by solid evidence, are clear, and match national priorities.
In simple terms, this means that before the government makes a new rule, it must check how it will affect businesses, workers, and citizens. PEBEC said the pause is meant to prevent sudden policy shocks, reduce confusion, and protect both investors and ordinary Nigerians.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“No new reform or policy will be allowed unless it is based on clear, verifiable evidence,” PEBEC said. “This is necessary to make life easier for businesses, investors, and citizens.”
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The RIA Framework also guides government agencies on how to consult stakeholders, assess impacts, and get the proper approvals before rolling out any new policy. You can find the framework on the PEBEC website, and agencies can get help from the PEBEC Secretariat if needed. Only in urgent cases affecting the whole nation will exceptions be allowed, and even then, approvals must be in place.
For Nigerians, this pause is good news. It means fewer sudden changes that could hurt businesses, fewer confusing regulations, and a more predictable environment for starting or running a business. Essentially, it’s about making government rules fairer and more understandable for everyone.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
