The Federal Government has intensified efforts to reassure foreign investors about Nigeria’s business environment, convening top executives, diplomats and regulators for a high-level investment dialogue at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The meeting, organised on Thursday night by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), brought together existing foreign direct investors operating in Nigeria with senior government officials to address concerns around security, taxation, customs processes and regulatory bottlenecks.
The engagement formed part of the third Existing Foreign Direct Investors Roundtable, an initiative designed to sustain direct communication between the government and international investors already active in Nigeria’s economy.
Opening the session, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hadejia, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a stable, transparent and competitive business environment capable of attracting and retaining long-term investment.
Speaking on behalf of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs PEBEC, Hadejia told investors that the administration remains focused on implementing reforms aimed at strengthening investor confidence and driving sustainable economic growth.
According to him, foreign direct investment plays a critical role in expanding industrial capacity, creating jobs and facilitating technology transfer.
Director-General of PEBEC, Zahrah Mustapha Audu, said the roundtable forms part of a deliberate strategy to ensure that policy reforms translate into tangible improvements for businesses already operating in the country.
She emphasised that while attracting new investments remains important, retaining and expanding the operations of existing investors is equally critical for Nigeria’s economic stability.
“Existing foreign investors are key partners in Nigeria’s development. Their investments contribute significantly to employment, capital inflow, technology transfer and supply chain development,” Audu said.
She noted that PEBEC’s reform agenda places strong emphasis on engaging investors directly and addressing operational challenges affecting their activities.
The dialogue featured engagements with key government officials responsible for major regulatory institutions, including the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji; the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi; and the Inspector-General of Police, Olutunji Rilwan Disu.
Also contributing virtually was the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, who outlined ongoing fiscal reforms aimed at improving tax certainty, streamlining revenue administration and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness as an investment destination.
The session attracted representatives from diplomatic missions including the United States, Russia, France, Colombia, Denmark and Pakistan, alongside development partners such as the United Nations and the World Bank.
During the discussions, investors raised concerns relating to security challenges, tax administration procedures, customs clearance delays and policy consistency.
The interactive format allowed investors to question regulators directly while government officials clarified ongoing reforms and outlined measures aimed at resolving operational bottlenecks.
Participants commended the Federal Government for providing an open platform for dialogue and urged authorities to sustain regular engagements to strengthen trust between policymakers and the private sector.
Observers say such consultations are increasingly important as Nigeria seeks to stabilise investor confidence and compete with other African economies for global investment capital.
Analysts also note that the meeting reflects growing recognition within government that attracting investment requires not only policy reforms but also sustained engagement with businesses already navigating Nigeria’s operating environment.
By facilitating direct conversations between investors and regulators, PEBEC hopes to identify systemic challenges early and accelerate reforms that will improve Nigeria’s standing as a competitive investment destination in Africa.
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
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