The federal government has announced plans to introduce a performance framework that will require Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to meet measurable targets, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and eliminate overlapping regulatory requirements affecting businesses and investors.
Key Highlights
- FG plans a performance framework requiring MDAs to meet measurable targets.
- Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele proposed a “One Government” approach: one lead agency, one process, one fee.
- Agencies are to stop duplicate requirements, multiple charges and avoidable procedures.
- MDAs must remit revenues promptly, transfer surpluses and submit audited accounts.
- Agencies will get feedback within four to six weeks before agreeing measurable commitments.
The initiative is aimed at improving public service delivery, reducing the cost of doing business and making government institutions more accountable for their actions.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this during a strategic engagement with heads of agencies and senior government officials at the Federal Ministry of Finance headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by Efe Ovuakporie, Head of the Information and Public Relations Unit of the ministry, Oyedele said the next phase of economic reforms must address the everyday challenges businesses face when dealing with government institutions, beyond efforts to stabilise the economy.
He stressed that government agencies should facilitate business growth and investment rather than create unnecessary obstacles for enterprises seeking to operate and expand.
‘One Government’ Approach To Regulation
The minister urged agencies to operate strictly within their statutory responsibilities and discontinue duplicate requirements, multiple charges and avoidable procedures that increase business costs.
He also proposed a “One Government” approach, under which public institutions would coordinate their activities to prevent businesses and applicants from being subjected to conflicting demands.
Where regulatory responsibilities overlap, Oyedele said the objective should be to establish one lead agency, one process and one fee.
He further called on agencies to engage relevant stakeholders before introducing new regulations, evaluate the economic impact of proposed policies and coordinate with other institutions where necessary.
The minister also emphasised the need to provide adequate notice before implementing major regulatory or policy changes.
On public revenue management, the minister directed agencies to remit government revenues promptly and in full, transfer operating surpluses to the consolidated revenue fund and submit audited accounts in accordance with the law.
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Agencies To Be Assessed On Tangible Results
Oyedele said agency performance would be assessed based on tangible results, including service delivery timelines, compliance with published deadlines and reductions in the cost of regulatory processes for businesses.
He acknowledged that the Ministry of Finance must also be accountable under the proposed framework, noting that government institutions need to address internal challenges such as delayed approvals, slow fund releases and outdated regulations.
As part of the implementation process, the ministry will review submissions from participating agencies and provide specific feedback within four to six weeks.
The draft framework will subsequently be circulated for further consultations, after which each agency will be expected to agree to measurable performance commitments that will be reviewed periodically.
The government said the initiative is intended to strengthen accountability across public institutions, improve the efficiency of government services and create a more business-friendly regulatory environment that allows enterprises to devote less time to administrative procedures and more resources to investment, expansion and job creation.
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