States ease of doing business survey The Punch Published 5 July 2021 A collaborative initiative targeted at improving the economies of Nigeria’s subnational governments has delivered surprising results. An eye-opener, the survey of the business environment in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory conducted by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council was based on business-friendly characteristics and policies. It gave the highest scores to three states in the North. This relegates the supposed economic juggernauts and some of the oil-bearing states to the bottom. The November 2020 to January 2021 survey is a step in the right direction, as it can engender a competitive spirit among the states and encourage them to improve in weak areas.