Introduction to the PEBEC Retreat
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and PEBEC to deepen synergy for a more enabling business environment in Nigeria. He made the call at the close of the PEBEC retreat for MDA Heads and Reform Champions in Abuja. Shettima stressed the need to maintain Nigeria’s appeal as a destination for investment and economic growth.
The Renewed Hope Agenda
He affirmed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains committed to the eight-point ‘Renewed Hope agenda’. The agenda, he said, is vital for fostering a simplified business environment and enhancing the ease of doing business. “This retreat, convened by PEBEC which I chair, aims not just to review reforms, but to deepen something greater — synergy. The machinery of government is too complex for silos. We cannot afford isolation when our challenges are increasingly interconnected,” Shettima said.
The Importance of Synergy
He noted that PEBEC has consistently shown that collaborative governance is both possible and effective in Nigeria’s public sector. According to him, PEBEC unites MDAs with overlapping roles, enabling shared goals, harmonised timelines, and restored public trust. He told participants that their decisions must reflect dedication to collaboration, innovation, and measurable improvements in government service delivery. This commitment, Shettima said, can only be realised through trust — the most valuable currency in public governance.
Ending Bureaucratic Turf Wars
Shettima said the time of blame-shifting on government responsibilities must end. Bureaucratic turf wars must be eliminated. “Our economic and social future depends on what public servants choose to do today. Our people are watching. Investors are waiting. We must shift from policy to performance, ambition to execution. From silos to synergy. This retreat must herald a culture of action, accountability, and effective collaboration,” Shettima stated.
Improving Government Services
He said Nigerians deserve institutions that are efficient, transparent, and responsive to their everyday needs. “Whether registering a business or accessing a service, they should not be trapped in red tape. We must streamline procedures, remove duplication, and use technology to boost transparency and efficiency,” he noted. Shettima urged MDA heads to prioritise joint planning, data sharing, and shared performance indicators. He called on them to abandon the mindset of “this is not my mandate” in favour of teamwork.
Implementing Reforms
“Let us form interagency task teams for key reforms instead of working in silos. Resolve conflicts through dialogue, close gaps with innovation, and institutionalise every gain made. This is how we build a government that works — not in fragments, but in complete sync,” Shettima said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PEBEC retreat is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the ease of doing business in the country.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s call for synergy among MDAs and PEBEC is a step in the right direction towards improving the business environment in Nigeria. The commitment to the Renewed Hope agenda and the emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and trust are essential for fostering a simplified business environment and enhancing the ease of doing business.
FAQs
Q: What is PEBEC?
A: PEBEC stands for Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, which aims to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Q: What is the Renewed Hope agenda?
A: The Renewed Hope agenda is an eight-point agenda committed to by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, vital for fostering a simplified business environment and enhancing the ease of doing business.
Q: What is the purpose of the PEBEC retreat?
A: The PEBEC retreat is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the ease of doing business in the country, and it aims to deepen synergy among MDAs and PEBEC.
Q: What is the importance of synergy in the public sector?
A: Synergy is essential for collaborative governance, enabling shared goals, harmonised timelines, and restored public trust among MDAs with overlapping roles.
Q: What is the role of trust in public governance?
A: Trust is the most valuable currency in public governance, and it is necessary for realising commitment to collaboration, innovation, and measurable improvements in government service delivery.
