The PEBEC Retreat for Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs)
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The PEBEC Retreat for Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) brought together Agency Heads from 69 MDAs, key stakeholders in government, members of the diplomatic corps, and business environment collaborators for a high-level engagement.
In his opening remarks, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Sen. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia reminded agency heads on the important need to strengthen interagency collaboration, eliminate duplication, and improve the experience of every Nigerian and investor who interacts with government.
Building on this, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume delivered the opening plenary and vision setting for the retreat, reminding participants to use this retreat as an opportunity to recalibrate and embrace a one-government approach, where ministries and agencies do not compete for relevance, but collaborate for impact.
The PEBEC DG re-echoed the SGF’s words, calling the retreat a strategic moment for reflection, alignment, and renewed commitment to working better together.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Josiah Osigwe encouraged Heads of MDAs to drive the deepening of institutional reforms such as the Business Facilitation Act (BFA).
The retreat featured special keynotes with learning experiences from MDAs such as Ministry of Interior, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, along with capacity-building sessions by the Lagos Business School.
Representatives of the British High Commission and World Bank were also in attendance to support the various sessions at the retreat.
In closing, His Excellency, the Vice President of Nigeria, Sen. Kashim Ibrahim charged all MDA Heads to immediately implement the accord from the retreat, as the collaboration between all arms of government and the private sector will produce lasting impact on the economy and Nigerians at large.
