Kaduna Rises To 2nd In Nigeria’s Ease Of Doing Business Ranking

The Chief Strategic Adviser on Inter-Governmental Affairs to Governor Uba Sani, Hon. Audu Maikori, has said Kaduna State now ranks second in Nigeria’s ease of doing business ranking, moving up from eighth position.

Maikori attributed the development to reforms in security, the mining sector and infrastructure, which he said had helped reposition the state as a more attractive destination for investors.

Maikori, who spoke on Channels Television’s Business Incorporated programme in Lagos, said the improved ranking reflected the impact of the administration’s reforms.

“Kaduna is now the second state in Nigeria for ease of doing business by PEBEC. Three years ago when Senator Sani came into power, it was number eight,” he said.

Maikori described the state’s approach to attracting investors as “business unusual”, citing reforms in the mining sector as one of the factors that had distinguished Kaduna from other resource-rich states.

He also referred to the July 2026 Memorandum of Understanding between the Kaduna State Government, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Core International, an advisory firm, describing the arrangement as a half-billion-dollar investment structured to keep mineral rights within the control of the state.

“The Kaduna Mining Development Company holds the rights and the licences, both federal and state,” he said, adding that Kaduna was the first state in Nigeria where the AFC had decided to invest in mines.

On security, Maikori cited the recent presidential award of a 122-kilometre road contract along the Mando-Birnin Gwari corridor, which he said had previously been regarded as too dangerous to travel.

He also pointed to the inauguration of 1,000 forest guards, with another 1,000 undergoing training, as part of the state’s efforts to strengthen security at the community level.

Maikori attributed the improvement not only to military operations but also to the Kaduna Peace Model introduced by the state government.

“This is not just a function of the military. It is about the Kaduna Peace Model, which the Governor has put in place. That model is built around making sure that people are listened to, they are heard, and their concerns are actually addressed,” he said.

He also cited the recently approved light rail project linking Kaduna and Abuja, valued at approximately N1 trillion, saying it would transform transportation and make it more feasible for people to live in Kaduna while working in Abuja.

According to him, the project would form part of an intermodal transport system linking the light rail with the existing main rail network and newly deployed compressed natural gas (CNG) buses.

“Property prices in Kaduna have escalated over the past three years. People were selling off their investments a few years ago. Today, people are moving back,” he said.

Maikori urged investors and prospective residents to consider Kaduna as a destination for business and residence.