The Federal Government of Nigeria has directed all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to temporarily halt the rollout of new policies until the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) Framework is fully implemented.
This was disclosed by Zahrah Audu, Director of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to her, the move is part of efforts to improve regulatory quality, ensure consistency in policymaking, and create a more stable business environment. She explained that the directive is aimed at preventing sudden policy changes that could negatively affect businesses, investors, and citizens.
“All Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are hereby directed to pause the introduction and rollout of any new policies, regulations, or major regulatory changes until full compliance with the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) Framework is achieved,” the statement partly reads.
She noted that the RIA Framework, introduced in January 2025, requires all new policies or amendments to undergo proper review and approval before implementation.
“The Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) Framework was formally implemented in January 2025, and all MDAs are required to ensure that any new policy or amendment introduced after this date is subject to review and approval in line with the Framework.
“The RIA Framework has already been circulated to all MDAs by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and is also available on the PEBEC website. MDAs are therefore expected to familiarize themselves with the Framework and immediately align their policy development processes accordingly.
“While the government remains committed to working collaboratively with all regulators and does not seek to embarrass any institution, it is imperative to emphasize that no new reform or policy will be permitted to proceed without being grounded in clear, verifiable evidence. The RIA Framework provides the structured mechanism through which such evidence-based decisions can be rigorously developed, assessed, and validated.
“This directive is necessary to: Prevent policy shocks that may adversely affect businesses, investors, and citizens; Eliminate policy inconsistencies and frequent reversals (policy flip-flops); institutionalize evidence-based policymaking across government; Enhance transparency, predictability, and stakeholder confidence in public policies; Ensure adequate stakeholder engagement to drive policy buy-in and minimize resistance or backlash prior to implementation.
“Accordingly, all MDAs are required to: Suspend all planned or proposed policy rollouts that have not yet been formally implemented.
“Ensure that all new policy proposals and any amendments introduced post-January 2025 are supported by a comprehensive Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) and receive the necessary approvals.
“Undertake structured and inclusive stakeholder engagement as part of the policy development process to improve acceptance and implementation outcomes.
“Integrate the RIA process into their internal policy formulation procedures going forward.
“For ease of implementation, MDAs may access the RIA Framework via the PEBEC website or seek guidance and technical support directly from the PEBEC Secretariat.
“Exceptions to this directive will only be considered in cases of urgent national interest, subject to appropriate approval.
“The cooperation of all MDAs is essential to building a more stable, consistent, and business-friendly regulatory environment that supports sustainable economic growth and investor confidence,” the statement read.
