Buhari reacts to World Bank recognition, lists his government’s achievements

The Presidency has reacted to the recent World Bank report which lists Nigeria as one of the 10 most improved countries in the world.

Nigeria moved up 24 places to 145th in the World Bank’s ‘Doing Business’ report published today, and for the first time the country is recognized as one of the top 10 most improved economies in the world.

For the first time #Nigeria is recognized as one of the top 10 most improved economies in the world. #EaseBizNG #GovtAtWorkNG https://t.co/2wjXyUIcIl

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) October 31, 2017

The World Bank Doing Business project provides objective measures of business regulations and their enforcement across 190 economies.

In a series of tweets released by the presidency, the government expressed its delight in the declaration by the international financial organization. According to the presidency, the reforms introduced by the government had brought about the record.

Apparently seeing the report as an affirmation of Buhari’s government’s efforts, the presidency released a series of Tweets outlining some of its achievements.

This year President @MBuhari set an ambitious target of moving up twenty places in the @WorldBank rankings. #TargetExceeded #GovtAtWorkNG https://t.co/2wjXyUIcIl

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) October 31, 2017

Background to the reforms that brought about Nigeria's 24-place rise in @WorldBank 'Doing Business' Rankings:#Thread

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) October 31, 2017

1/ July 2016: President @MBuhari established the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), chaired by VP @ProfOsinbajo

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) October 31, 2017

6/ Feb—April 2017: PEBEC implements 60-day National Action Plan(NAP 60) as short-term intervention targeted at accelerating specific reforms

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) October 31, 2017

7/ May 2017: VP @ProfOsinbajo as AgP, signed Executive Order on the Promotion of Transparency in the Business Environment (EO1).

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) October 31, 2017

8/ May 2017: @nassnigeria passed 2 new #EaseBizNG Acts: the Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Act 2017 & the Credit Reporting Act 2017

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) October 31, 2017

10/ The new Acts strengthen the legal framework for SMEs to access credit across Nigeria—an important requirement for the success of SMEs.

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) October 31, 2017

Political analysts say the report could not have come at a better time for the APC and Muhamadu Buhari as the ruling party had just emerged from its caucus meeting with Buhari giving signs that he might be contesting in the 2019 elections.