The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to suspend the introduction and rollout of new policies, regulations, or major regulatory changes pending full compliance with the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) Framework.
The directive was issued by the Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Zahrah Mustapha Audu, as part of broader efforts to strengthen regulatory quality, ensure policy coherence, and enhance Nigeria’s ease of doing business.
According to the statement, the RIA Framework, formally implemented in January 2025, mandates that all new policies or amendments introduced after that date must undergo review and approval in line with its provisions.
Audu noted that the framework has already been circulated to MDAs by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and is also accessible via the PEBEC website. She urged MDAs to familiarise themselves with the framework and align their internal policy development processes accordingly.
She stressed that while the government remains committed to collaboration with regulatory institutions, no new reform or policy would proceed without clear, verifiable evidence to support it.
The directive, she explained, is designed to prevent policy shocks that could adversely affect businesses, investors and citizens, eliminate inconsistencies and frequent policy reversals, and institutionalise evidence-based policymaking across government.
It also aims to enhance transparency, improve policy predictability, and strengthen stakeholder confidence, while ensuring adequate engagement to minimise resistance prior to implementation.
Consequently, MDAs have been instructed to suspend any planned policy rollouts yet to be implemented, ensure that new policy proposals are backed by comprehensive RIA documentation and requisite approvals, and integrate the RIA process into their policy formulation procedures.
They are further required to undertake structured and inclusive stakeholder engagement to improve policy acceptance and implementation outcomes.
The PEBEC Director-General added that MDAs may access the RIA Framework through the council’s website or seek technical support from its secretariat.
However, she noted that exemptions would only be granted in cases of urgent national interest, subject to appropriate approval.
Audu emphasised that full cooperation from MDAs is essential to building a stable, consistent and business-friendly regulatory environment capable of driving sustainable economic growth and boosting investor confidence.
