DUTSE – Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to creating a more favorable business climate in Nigeria, stating that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is successfully transitioning from a culture of bureaucratic gatekeeping to one of strategic partnership with the private sector. SHIFTS IN FISCAL AND STRUCTURAL POLICY Speaking on Wednesday at the opening of the Jigawa State Investment Summit (J-INVEST 2026) in Dutse, the Vice President highlighted the progress made through the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and the implementation of significant fiscal and structural reforms. According to Shettima, these measures have been instrumental in reducing the operational costs for businesses and simplifying complex registration and permitting processes that have historically hindered growth. The Vice President emphasized that the administration’s focus on the Business Facilitation Act has provided a legal framework that enforces transparency, predictability, and efficiency across government agencies. He noted that by unifying and liberalizing the foreign exchange market and improving fiscal transparency, the government has addressed long-standing distortions that previously discouraged serious investment. ECONOMIC INDICATORS AND SOVEREIGN CREDIT Shettima pointed to tangible economic indicators, highlighting that for the first time in over a decade, major global rating agencies have begun to improve Nigeria's sovereign credit standing. He credited these improvements to a more transparent currency market and firmer reserves, which he believes are essential for long-term economic stability. SUB-NATIONAL COOPERATION FOR GROWTH Beyond federal initiatives, the Vice President stressed the importance of sub-national cooperation in driving national recovery. He commended the Jigawa State government for its proactive investment drive, which aims to attract over 400 billion naira in private sector investment across critical areas such as agribusiness, renewable energy, and light manufacturing. The summit, which serves as a platform for direct engagement between the government and investors, focuses on unlocking the comparative advantages of individual states. Shettima asserted that the path to a sustainable, enterprise-driven economy lies in the ability of states to harness their local potential, supported by federal policies that facilitate rather than obstruct business activity. With the Electricity Act 2023 further empowering states to participate in power infrastructure, the Vice President expressed confidence that the current economic trajectory, while requiring patience, is beginning to yield measurable benefits for the Nigerian economy.