Communiqué: Unlocking Business Incentives for Growth through Business Integrity Certification

Written By Lawrence Arinze

On Thursday, September 25, 2025, The Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) in collaboration with the Integrity Organisation launched Nigeria’s first Business Integrity Certification (BIC) initiative.

The BIC responds directly to the Tinubu administration’s agenda of improving the ease of doing business, boosting non-oil exports, promoting access to quality employment, and strengthening local participation in public procurement. By independently certifying governance and compliance practices, it helps enterprises unlock market-driven incentives that align with these national priorities:

  • Finance – giving banks and investors confidence to fund SMEs.

  • Trade – positioning Nigerian firms to seize AfCFTA and UK - Nigeria trade opportunities.

  • Procurement – equipping local businesses to benefit from the forthcoming Nigeria First Policy.

The certification fills a long-standing gap for Nigerian enterprises: credible assurance of governance standards that international investors and large Nigerian corporates require in their supply chains. With new UK regulations on preventing bribery and fraud now in force, it is important that Nigerian companies seeking international partnerships are able to demonstrate compliance. The BIC provides that pathway, turning compliance from a cost into a competitive advantage.

At its core, the Business Integrity Certification initiative is about improving trust and opportunity, empowering Nigerian businesses to grow, compete, and win in today’s markets while reinforcing government’s push for a transparent, inclusive economy.

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#BusinessIntegrity #SMEs #NigeriaFirst #AfCFTA #Governance #EaseOfDoingBusiness


Lawrence Arinze
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