The Federal Government has directedall Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to suspend the rollout of new policies until full compliance with the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) Framework is achieved.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Director of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, Princess Zahrah Audu, who said the move is part of broader efforts to strengthen regulatory standards and improve Nigeria’s ease of doing business.
According to her, the directive is aimed at preventing policy shocks that could disrupt businesses, deter investors, and negatively affect citizens.
“All MDAs are hereby directed to pause the introduction and rollout of any new policies, regulations, or major regulatory changes until full compliance with the RIA Framework is achieved,” the statement said.
The RIA Framework, which came into effect in January 2025, requires that all new policies and amendments undergo a rigorous review process backed by clear and verifiable evidence before approval.
Audu noted that the framework has already been circulated to all MDAs by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and is also available on the PEBEC website. She urged agencies to immediately align their policy formulation processes with its requirements.
She stressed that while the government remains committed to collaboration with regulatory bodies, no new reforms will proceed without proper evidence-based evaluation.
“The RIA Framework provides a structured mechanism through which policy decisions can be thoroughly developed, assessed, and validated,” she stated.
The directive is expected to eliminate policy inconsistencies, reduce frequent reversals, and promote transparency and predictability in governance. It also mandates MDAs to engage stakeholders more effectively to ensure smoother implementation and broader acceptance of policies.
Under the new order, MDAs must halt all planned but unimplemented policy initiatives, ensure that future proposals are supported by comprehensive impact analysis, and integrate the RIA process into their internal systems.
However, exceptions may be granted in cases of urgent national interest, subject to appropriate approvals.
The government подчеркed that compliance across all MDAs is critical to building a stable, business-friendly regulatory environment capable of driving sustainable economic growth and boosting investor confidence.