Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deepening business-enabling reforms aimed at positioning the state as one of Nigeria’s foremost investment and economic growth hubs.
He said ongoing efforts to strengthen transparency, predictability and efficiency in the business environment remain central to his economic agenda and are intended to unlock Rivers State’s significant commercial potential.
Fubara spoke on Friday in Port Harcourt at a Technical Workshop on Business-Enabling Reforms and Investment Competitiveness, organised by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) in collaboration with the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, the governor said Rivers State is strategically positioned to serve as a major driver of Nigeria’s economy, citing its population size, natural resource endowment, maritime advantages and entrepreneurial base.
“As one of Nigeria’s leading commercial and industrial hubs, Rivers State possesses enormous potential. Our responsibility is to transform these advantages into sustainable economic opportunities through deliberate reforms, strong institutions and effective governance,” he said.
He noted that global economic experience shows that jurisdictions grow faster when governments deliberately create enabling environments for private enterprise, adding that his administration will continue to support reforms that enhance investor confidence and improve institutional coordination.
Fubara described the workshop as a critical platform for stakeholders to identify bottlenecks, share practical experiences and develop solutions to strengthen the state’s investment ecosystem.
He added that the engagement would help align state policies with global best practices while ensuring they remain responsive to local development realities.
The Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council), Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, commended the Rivers State Government for its collaboration with the council in advancing business environment reforms and investment promotion.
She said PEBEC, established under the Presidency, is focused on driving policy and regulatory reforms to improve Nigeria’s overall business climate and expand economic opportunities.
Audu reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to economic reforms designed to strengthen investor confidence, stressing that sustainable transformation requires coordinated action across all tiers of government.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Peterside Chamberline, said the agency’s mandate is to create a conducive environment for business growth, job creation and seamless economic activity.
He said: “We know that private sector investment is the driver of economic development and progress. We are creating and making Rivers State the preferred investment destination.”
The workshop reflects growing competition among Nigerian states to attract private capital, as sub-national governments increasingly rely on reform-driven strategies to stimulate investment, diversify economies and expand employment opportunities.
