The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has unveiled a stark picture of Nigeria's public service efficiency for 2025. The latest Business Facilitation Act (BFA) Performance Report, released on 7 December 2025, shows a clear division between high-performing agencies and those struggling with inefficiency and outdated systems.
Top Performers Setting the Standard
Leading the pack of 69 assessed Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) is the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB). It secured the top spot by excelling in every measured category, including service efficiency, transparency, and complaint resolution. Its success is credited to near-perfect compliance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs), fully digital application processes, and rapid handling of issues reported on the ReportGov platform.
In second place, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) delivered a remarkably strong performance. The agency impressed with its responsive complaint system, enhanced digital channels, and a notable achievement of zero incidents of rent-seeking during mystery-shopping checks.
The Nigeria Customs Service took third place with an efficiency score of 86.6%, showing marked improvement. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) ranked fourth, maintaining its reputation for reliable, tech-driven service delivery. Completing the top tier was the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), which rose due to clearer timelines, targeted automation to reduce bottlenecks, and better customer engagement.
Agencies Lagging Behind in Service Delivery
At the opposite end of the spectrum, the report highlighted several MDAs performing far below acceptable standards. The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) finished at the very bottom with a shockingly low score of just 3.0%.
Close behind was the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) with 12.7%, a concerning result given its critical role in national identity systems. Other poor performers included:
- Joint Tax Board (14.6%)
- National Bureau of Statistics (14.9%)
- Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (14.5%)
- Federal Produce Inspection Service (16.0%)
- Nigerian Postal Service (17.1%)
- Ministry of Interior (19.5%)
PEBEC identified common failures among these agencies, including total non-compliance with SLAs, reliance on manual paper processes, poorly maintained websites, and non-functional communication channels. Mystery-shopping also uncovered incidents of touting and rent-seeking.
Implications for Nigeria's Business Climate
The 2025 report underscores a dual-track public sector. One segment is modernizing rapidly through digitization and strict service standards, while another continues to operate with low transparency and efficiency.
PEBEC, chaired by Mrs. Zahrah Audu, issued a clear warning. It stated that unless the worst-performing agencies undergo urgent and comprehensive reform, Nigeria will continue to experience uneven progress in its business environment. The council emphasized that public-service reform is a strategic necessity for boosting investor confidence and supporting sustainable economic growth, not merely a procedural exercise.
The assessment, covering January to October 2025, stands as the most comprehensive evidence-based review of federal agency performance since the BFA was enacted.
