The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council has instructed Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to halt the rollout of new policies and regulatory changes, aiming to shield businesses from potential disruptions.
The directive was announced on Monday in Abuja by PEBEC Director-General, Princess Zahrah Mustapha-Audu.
According to the Council, the measure aligns with the Federal Government’s wider push to enhance regulatory standards, promote policy stability, and improve Nigeria’s ease of doing business climate.
The council stressed that the suspension will stay in effect until all MDAs achieve full compliance with the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) Framework, which guides evidence-based policymaking across government institutions.
PEBEC explained that the directive is designed to ensure that all new government policies are supported by credible data and do not create unintended burdens for businesses or investors.
“It is imperative to emphasise that no new reform or policy will be permitted to proceed without being grounded in clear, verifiable evidence,l.
“The framework provides the structured mechanism through which such evidence-based decisions can be rigorously developed, assessed, and validated.
“This directive is necessary to prevent policy shocks that may adversely affect businesses, investors, and citizens, as well as to eliminate policy inconsistencies and frequent reversals, ” said Princess Zahrah Mustapha-Audu.
She added that the government is committed to engaging regulators in a cooperative manner and has no intention of embarrassing any institution.
The Regulatory Impact Analysis Framework, introduced in January 2025, seeks to enhance transparency and ensure that policies are thoroughly assessed before they are implemented.
All MDAs must align new policies and proposed amendments with the RIA framework prior to approval and rollout.
The framework has been distributed by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and is also accessible on the PEBEC website.
